Search Results for: Brazil

The name Brazil means “red ember” and originated from Pau brasil or Brazil wood. This tree grows abundantly along the coast line and is known for a deep red dye it produces. Brazil wood was highly cherished by European traders who came from Portugal in the 16th century and traded with the Tupa-Guarani Indians. Brazil gained her independence from Portugal in 1822 and has been self-sufficient ever since.

Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world, is located in South America. She borders every country in South America with the exception of Chile and Ecuador and is in fact the largest in South America; covering nearly half of the entire continent. Divided into regions, she is a land rich in natural resources. It is these resources that have carved out her history: timber in the 16th century, sugarcane in the 16th and 17th centuries, gold and gems in the 18th century and coffee in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today Brazil grows about 40 percent of the world’s coffee.

A true melting pot of nationalities, Brazil is one of the most varied and diverse countries in the world. This is a result of centuries of European domination as well as the introduction of the slave trade. Millions of Africans were brought to Brazil to work the huge plantations, which directly impacted the local culture. The official language in Brazil is Portuguese. She is the only nation which speaks Portuguese in South America.

When thinking about Brazil, there are some distinct images that come to mind, such as the giant statue of “Christ the Redeemer”, which overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro. Currently listed as one of the seven man-made wonders of the world, the statue was built atop the Corcovado Mountain and was constructed between 1922 and 1931. It is made of 635 tons of reinforced concrete and sandstone and stands 130 feet tall. It is constantly undergoing restoration due to damage by frequent lightning strikes. What an experience it would be to see a flash of lightening illuminate such a formidable structure. This is a very fitting monument for Brazil, with her largely Catholic population.

Another image is “Carnival”, the four day festival held just before Lent. It takes place on the Friday thru Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Although this occasion is celebrated in many places, there is nowhere like Rio de Janeiro to experience Carnival. More than two million revelers come to drink in Carnival. Samba schools, which are huge neighborhood gatherings of sometimes 4000+ people, come to compete in the parade with their music, dance, singing and amazing colorful and flamboyant costumes. It is truly a four day party like none other in the world.

And then there is the Amazon. This river is the world’s largest by volume, with over half of it flowing through Brazil. It is considered the second longest (4,000 miles long), next to the Nile and the world's widest river (6 miles to 30 miles wide, depending on the season). The tropical forest and river basin comprise over 2 million square miles. Back in the 16th Century an explorer by the name of Francisco de Orellano, was the first European to travel the entire Amazon River. He was intrigued by the Indian women warriors who lived along the banks of the river and called them “Amazons.” The biodiversity of the Amazon is unbelievable, with one-third of all known species on earth residing there. It has over 3,000 species of fish including the dreaded, flesh eating, Piranha and is home to the world's largest snake, the Anaconda. With all of this biodiversity, one can only imagine what medicinal wonders might reside in the exotic plant life and what tropical fruit flavors exist that have never yet been tasted. It is deservedly known as,“ The Land of Plenty.”

Of course, Iguazu Falls is another amazing tourist destination and an UNESCO world heritage site, on both the Argentinean and the Brazilian side. My sister recently visited these amazing falls (which Eleanor Roosevelt said made Niagara Falls look like a faucet) and on the Brazilian side, there is a huge cliff with waters cascading down the rocks some 150 feet. The roar of the falls is deafening and the cool mist refreshes you as you watch birds of prey get fooled by the the smaller birds, known as the Great Dusky Swifts. When they are pursued, they dive right into the full force of the falls and somehow stop before they hit the rock wall behind it. There, they find their nests and safe harbor from their predators. (Pretty clever.) The Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls is also an optimal site to view Garganta do Diablo (the Devil's Throat), which looks like a grand precipice of converging rivers flowing down into hell.

As I looked into the cuisine of this amazing country, there were many delicious and exotic choices. The cuisine varies greatly by region, for example Bahia is influenced by a mix of African and Portuguese cuisines, where chili and palm oil are very common. In the north, with the forest and freshwater rivers, fish and cassava are the staples. In the Deep South, the churrasco, a special kind of barbeque built on gaucho traditions, are most popular. In the end, I felt the national dish called Feijoada, a black bean and pork stew, would be the perfect choice. I think it clearly demonstrates the ethnic mix of this beautiful country; influences that have enriched her with native and immigrant history.
So here we go…..Brazil

The Menu

Main Course
Feijoada (Black Bean and Pork Stew)

Served with Farofa (Fried Manioc Flour)

Arroz a brasileria (Brazilian Rice)

Couve a Mineira (Collard Greens)

Sliced Oranges

&

Molho apimentado (Hot Sauce)

Dessert
Brigadeiro (Chocolate treats)

We decorated the table with tropical fruits; coconut, papaya, oranges and added a bowl overflowing with coffee beans (their best export.) We lit candles adorned with images of Christ the Redeemer. We displayed the colors of the Brazilian flag for the table scape; yellow, green and blue. We turned on the stereo with “ The Girl from Ipanema,” to jump start a Brazilian mood. Soft Samba music serenaded us the rest of the meal. We ate continental style as would be customary, (fork in the left hand and knife in the right.)

We did not start with an appetizer for this meal as there was so much food for the main and sides, but if I was, I would have made Pao de Queijo, a Brazilian cheese bread in the shape of a ball that is loved all over Brazil.

For the main course we had the most delicious black bean and pork stew. This takes the better part of a day to make, but is it ever worth it; absolutely amazing. This main dish was served with many different sides: sliced oranges (a lovely citrus addition), along with Brazilian rice (flavored with onion), gently sauteed collard greens and Molho apiementado, a wonderful Brazilian hot sauce. Of course, we cannot forget the Farofa, a skillet toasted manioc flour that adds a wonderful kind of grittiness to the whole meal. In Brazil they put Farofa on just about everything.

For dessert, we enjoyed a little chocolate, sprinkled treat, similar to a Bon-bon, made and served for every Brazilian special occasion. These nuggets of pleasure are called Brigadeiro and pair perfectly with a robust cup of Brazilian coffee.

There is something very erotic and exotic about this country Brazil. Perhaps it is the friendly and free-spirited people with a zest for life, who like to be close and touching all the time. Perhaps it is the soulful beat of Samba that provides a hypnotic rhythm to move to, or perhaps it’s the national drink called Caipirinha (pronounced “cap-reen-yah”), made with lime and sugar, blended together with cachaça (alcohol from sugarcane) and served over ice (a most popular and intoxicating beverage.) Perhaps it is the tradition of clapping just when the sun sets, saying thanks for another beautiful day,. Perhaps it is all of the above.

As we leave this wonderful place called Brazil, I say, “Saúde” (pronounced Saw-OO-de), which means “Cheers” in Portuguese. I am headed off to kick around a soccer ball in honor of this country. They have won the world cup five times; this is more than any other country in the world. Not to mention, it wouldn’t hurt to work off some of that rich and delicious Feijoada.

Until next week,
Tchau (goodbye, pronounced like the Italian ciao)
Darlene

New Year's Eve traditions around the world

It is always fascinating to learn a little something about how other places and cultures celebrate special days.  New Year’s Eve, (or Old Year’s Day) is celebrated in many parts of the world, although it has many different names.  Countries in Europe call it St. Sylvester’s Day.  Malam Tahun Baru is what it is called in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.  It is called Hogmanay in Scotland and Reveillon or Wallonia in Brazil, and Portugal.  This special evening is held on the last day of the year of the Gregorian calendar, which is December 31^st, and rings in the New Year at midnight.

Fireworks are a common way to celebrate the New Year in many countries around the world.  Festivals and celebrations also include song, dance and of course, great food.

Here are some fun and quirky things people do around the world to say goodbye to the old year and bring in the new:

In Australia, people run out into the streets and bang on pots and pans.

In Denmark, they shatter dishes and plates against the front doors of friends and family.

In hope for good fortune, in Ecuador, giant scarecrows are made of paper and burned, along with photographs of the past year.

Speaking of South American countries, many believe that, your fate in the New Year is determined by the color of the underwear you wear that night.  If they are red, they will bring you love, wealth if they are yellow, and peace if they are white.

In Peru, there is a festival in a small village called the Takanakuy Festival, where at the end of the year people settle their differences with a fist fight, so they can start off the year without holding any grudges.

An easier way to ring in the New Year is practiced in Argentina, where at the stroke of midnight they take their first step with their right foot, thereby, “Starting the year off on the right foot.”

In Romania, people toss spare coins into the river for good luck.

Dropping ice cream on the floor is what they do in Switzerland.  (We are not sure how this tradition emerged.)

In Puerto Rico, people throw buckets of water out of their window to drive away evil spirits.

In Turkey, they smash pomegranates. The more pieces it breaks in to, the more good luck will come.

In Belgium, even the livestock get in the spirit as they are decorated and paraded around town with bells ringing.

Columbia believes that if you carry around an empty suitcase, travel will come your way in the New Year.

Many places including Bolivia, like to bake a coin into their sweets.  Whoever finds it in the treat will have good luck for the next year (and hopefully not a broken tooth.)

In Spain, they eat grapes, one for each chime of the church bell at midnight.  It is believed to bring good luck for each month of the coming year.  The grapes enjoyed along with some Cava of course.

In Finland, they cast molten tin into a bucket of water and then predict what’s in store for the coming year by the interpretation of the resulting shape.

In the Philippines, they turn on all the lights to ward off evil spirits.  They also wear polka dots, as anything round is considered to bring luck and prosperity in the New Year.

In Japan, the Buddhist temples strike the gong 108 times to expel 108 human weaknesses. The Japanese also have a tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve, the long noodles represent longevity.

In Brazil, everyone wears white to scare away bad spirits and in Chile they sleep beside their loved ones in the cemetery.

Lentils and black-eyed peas are popular in many places to welcome in a full year of work and money.  In fact in Texas, black eyed peas are called Texas caviar.

Pork in many forms is another way the New year is celebrated, pigs root their food in a forward motion, so pork represents looking forward in the New Year.  My sister makes pork and sauerkraut every New Year's day. 

Also in the United States, watching the giant crystal ball drop in Times Square (formerly called, Longacre Square) in New York City is a favorite at midnight, along with a toast of champagne, a kiss, and singing the Scottish classic called Auld Lang Syne which means, “old long ago.” According to Scotland.org, “The song is about love and kindness of days gone by, but it also gives us a sense of belonging and fellowship to take with us into the future.”

However you and your loved ones celebrate this New Year’s Eve, be safe, and why not do a little something special for good luck, travel and prosperity.

I would love to hear how you celebrate the New Year, Please do let me know in the comments below.

Happy New Year my friends!

Warmest regards,

Darlene

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

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Darlene

UPDATE: we are heading to Cuba on January 10th for a month of exploration in support of the Cuban people.   Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.  I thought a repost of  Cuba was in order, enjoy and watch for new exciting recipes to follow!

Cuba gets her name from the Taino people, an abbreviation of the word Cubanacán, which means “where fertile land is.” She is a long and narrow island nation, affectionately called El Caiman or El Cocodrilo, as the aerial view resembles an alligator or crocodile. The republic of Cuba is made up of the Island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and more than 400 small islands and cays. Cuba is located about 90 miles south of the Florida Keys and 125 miles east of Cancun and Jamaica. The Cayman Islands lie to the south and Haiti to the east. Cuba is the largest and most populated Caribbean island.

“Juana” is the name given the Island by Christopher Columbus in 1492, in honor of Queen Isabella’s son, but that name never stuck. The Taino people came to the island from Venezuela about one thousand years ago. The original inhabitants were Native America tribes, the Ciboney and Guanahatebey. In 1511 Spanish forces took over the islands and declared them a Spanish Territory. The Taino people were forced into slave labor and most died from overwork and diseases brought by the Europeans.

The Spanish then brought hundreds of thousands of slaves from West Africa to plant and harvest sugarcane and tobacco. (Cuban cigars are still world renown.) The population today is mostly mulatto (a mix of European and African descent) the balance is 37 percent white, 11 percent Black and one percent Chinese. The official language is Spanish and the dialect is similar to other Hispanic Caribbean Islands but the highly expressive use of hand gestures are distinctly Cuban.

Cuba was under the control of Spain until 1898 when the treaty of Paris was signed. The United States claimed ownership of the remaining Spanish Colonies: Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. By 1902, the Cubans were not happy with another colonial power taking control and after many protests, the United States agreed to withdraw militarily from Cuba. One of the conditions included a 99 year lease to a naval base at Guantanamo Bay. The lease was extended into perpetuity in 1934. After several dictators and coup attempts, Fidel Castro’s Revolution toppled the previous dictator on January 8, 1959, who fled the country. Castro spoke to the masses and claimed true independence for Cuba, the first time since 1511.

Cuba became a communist state, which caused some of the elite to flee. Having a communist country so close to United States (U.S.) shores became a major issue. This led to the failed Bay of Pigs and then the Cuban missile crisis, which then turned into a 50 year long embargo. (Rumor has it, U.S. President Kennedy purchased 1200 Cuban cigars before the trade embargo was enforced).

Cuba was trading with the Soviet Union and Venezuela as its major trading partners. In 1989 when the cold war ended and the Soviet Union broke up, Cuba entered a very difficult period known as the “Special Period.” The country lost 80 percent of its imports and exports. They lost their oil connection, which caused severe hardship in the ability to operate transportation, industrial and agricultural systems. This period was especially hard on the Cuban people. They were hungry and had to drastically change their way of life.

One good thing that came out of the “Special Period”, was organic agriculture. Cuban producers turned the declining availability of pesticides and fertilizers into an opportunity to shift toward organic production, which ended up having numerous environmental, social and economic gains. The government allowed 80 percent of their farmland to be turned over to workers. Once they met the government quotas for their crop, they were allowed to sell the excess to the local farmers’ market. Havanans transformed their vacant lots, backyards and even roof tops into small farms and grazing areas for animals. This change had huge positive impacts on the peoples’ livelihood as well as on their health, as chemicals and pesticides used in farming are often linked to increased cancer risks.

Like many communist countries, Cuba is officially atheist. However, many Cubans are Catholics and in 1997 the government allowed Christmas to become an official holiday, in preparation for Pope John Paul II’s visit. Cuba holds one of the highest literacy rates in all of Latin America and they have the highest doctor to patient ratio in the world. Cuba is known for sending doctors abroad when the need arises. A couple of perks to a communist society is free healthcare and education.

Baseball is the national sport of Cuba and loved there! They have special squares set up just so credentialed citizens can discuss baseball and discuss they do. They are so proud of their national team. One problem that Cuba faces is defection by their best players. They are typically paid around $2000 annually there compared to six figures and more in the U.S. Even Castro admits, that makes it hard for Cuba to compete. By the way, Fidel Castro led the country since the revolution in the late 1950s until 2008, when he passed the baton to his younger brother Raul, due to illness.

The country of Cuba has two currencies, the Cuban peso and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC). The Cuban peso (CUP) is known as the national currency. This is what the population uses for necessities. Luxury Items and most tourist destinations use the CUC. One CUC buys about 25 CUPs which often confuses tourists, by seeing government controlled item prices that they perceive as too cheap.

There is a system set up in Cuba where tourists can stay in what are called casas particulares (private houses licensed to offer lodging to foreigners.) All the restaurants had been government owned and run by employees until the economic crisis of the Special Period. Now, in Cuba the best food will be found in your casa paladares (locally owned restaurants in private homes and made legal in the 1990s.) Seating is limited and there are many restrictions for the homeowner regarding staff and such, however this is where you will savor the delicious, homemade Cuban cuisine. Eating or staying in state owned hotels and restaurants is significantly more expensive. Visitors can choose casas particulares and paldares as alternatives and a great way to benefit the people and get a true cultural experience. Just make sure they have the proper licensing, as Cubans are forbidden to host a foreigner without a license and the punishment is severe for both parties, if caught.

The Cuisine of Cuba is a fusion of the Taino; the Spanish, West African and Caribbean. The tropical climate and fertile land produces fruits and root vegetables used in many Cuban dishes. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat. There are restrictions on seafood and beef, which are reserved mainly for the tourist industry.

So let’s eat Cuban style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Tostones (Fried Plantains)

Salad
Ensalada Cubano (Typical Green Salad)

Main
Lechon Asado (Roast Pork)

Served with
Moros y Cristianos (Rice and Beans)

Sofrito (Base for Moros Y Cristianos)

Dessert
Churros con Chocolate Caliente (Fried Dough with Hot Chocolate)

We began our meal with a Mojito, a popular lime and rum drink served with mint and a Cuban toast, “Salud.” The Mojito was known to be the author Ernest Hemingway’s favorite and he enjoyed them while writing two of his most famous books there: “The Old Man and the Sea” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” The rum maker, Bacardi, had its headquarters in Cuba until the Revolution when they moved it to Puerto Rico. Needless to say, rum is very popular in Cuba.

For ambiance, we put on “the Buena Vista Social Club”, a wonderful showcase of Cuban music performed by elderly men who have played music all their lives. Son Cubano is a type of Cuban music, as important to Cuba as the Tango is to Argentina and the Samba is to Brazil. Cuban music is often considered one of the richest and most influential regional music genres of the world. (Here is a link, you can check it out for yourself: http://youtu.be/HaerapRPS64 )

We decorated the table with colors of the Cuban flag; red, white and blue and with pictures of old American cars. Cubans are only allowed to own pre-1959 cars. It is an amazing site to see how they have maintained and restored these vintage treasures. If the day ever comes when the Cubans can sell them, I hope they won’t, as they add such charm and uniqueness to their country.

For our first course we enjoyed hot fried plantains, always a delicious treat and best eaten right out of the fryer, a popular snack in Cuba.
Next we had the main course served family style. Lechon Asado was served with white rice and black beans in a sofrito base. Together it’s called Moros y Cristianos. Honestly, I think it is the best combination of rice and beans I have ever had and I will include this recipe in my favorites. We added a simple but delicious organic Cuban salad. The salad, light and refreshing, with a citrus and garlic dressing, complemented the flavor of the pork.

The main dish, Lechon Asado, is usually reserved for special occasions where the whole pig would be roasted in the ground, covered in banana leaves. They also sell hog roasting boxes that many Cubans own and have become a popular alternative to roasting the pig in the ground. What makes the pork so wonderful however, is the marinade called Mojo. This is a blend of citrus and garlic that is unforgettable. I roasted a whole pork shoulder that I found with the skin on. It was superb!

For dessert we had hot chocolate and churros. The churros are basically fried dough rolled in sugar and served with a nice big cup of hot chocolate to dunk them in. I know we shouldn’t but, YUM!

You will notice on my cover shot is a pamphlet called “Nassau Cuba & Mexico.” This pamphlet was written by the author Zane Grey for the New York Cuba Mail Steamship Company. It is very rare and one of the prized possessions of our Zane Grey collection. We also have his diary of that trip he took. I would like to quote from the pamphlet, what he said about Havana back in 1909. “Havana is a magnificent city of white-walled avenues, of green-foliaged plazas, of gray-towered cathedrals and monasteries; and its wonderful coloring runs sheer into the blue waters of the harbor. It is bright, attractive, full of life. Tourists of all nations are there giving the city a cosmopolitan atmosphere. A walk or drive down the Prado from Central Plaza to the Malecon is one of the most enjoyable that can be imagined. Streams of carriages and automobiles, going and coming, giving an air of New York or Paris.”

As we leave this country Cuba, we do so with hope, as the U.S. Embargo has just been lifted. Recognizing that the decision to lift the embargo is controversial, as things in Cuba have not changed in decades, I see both sides of the argument. With that said, we can only hope that things get better for the Cuban people. Selfishly, I am hoping to get a chance to visit and stay with a Cuban family in a casa particular and dine with them on the incredible cuisine!

Until next week,
Warmest Regards,
Darlene
P.s. What do with all those pork leftovers? A Cuban sandwich of course. Here’s a delicious bonus recipe!

Cuban Sandwich

How did Portugal get its name?

Where is Portugal located?

Portugal is located in the western most point of Europe and lies on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula.  It shares its northern and eastern borders with Spain, the only bordering country.  The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west and south, providing a stunning coastline loved by locals and tourists alike.  Portugal is divided by the Tagus River, which separates the rugged north from the rolling plains of the south.  The landscape in the north contains the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula.  The country of Portugal also includes the nine islands of the Azores, and two islands, well off its coast, named Madeira and Porto Santo that was once a home of Columbus.

A Brief History of Portugal

It is said that Lisbon is one of the oldest European capitals, founded 400 years before the Roman era.  It was inhabited by Celtic and other tribes as well as Phoenicians-Carthaginians, along the coast.  The Romans took over the area, known as Lusitania which is why speakers of Portuguese today are known as Lusophones.

The Romans began to occupy the area in 140 BC and made it famous for mining and agriculture, especially for the production of sweet wine.  The name Lusitania comes from the Roman god, Lusus, son of Bacchus, who was the god of wine.  After the fall of the Roman Empire, a Germanic tribe took over the Iberian Peninsula and established the church in their kingdom.  The church remains an important part of Portuguese culture.  The peninsula was later invaded and occupied by the  Arab Moors for more than 800 years.  After the partial Reconquista, Portugal finally became a kingdom, independent of Spain, in 1279.  The borders that were established then still remain the same today.

During the Imperial Era from 1279 until 1578, Portugal made many discoveries through its strong naval power and established colonies all over the world.  Brazil was one but also Mozambique and Angola in Africa, along with many others on several different continents.  Portugal became a world power and one of the most important empires of the time, with Spain being one of Portugal’s biggest rivals.

After the death of King Sebastian I, the empire went into decline.  Portugal then engaged in numerous European wars, including the Restoration war which resulted in fending off of the Spanish King who was trying to take over Portugal.  In 1755, Portugal lost much of its wealth with the destruction of Lisbon by a powerful earthquake.

Portugal had a good relationship with the British Empire and when Portugal refused to give in to Napoleon, which resulted in military attacks, the British helped Portugal restore their independence in 1812.  There were many problems that arose until 1910, when the First Portuguese Republic was established which brought about the King's resignation. The republic was ended in 1926 in a coup d’etat that resulted in a military dictatorship.

In 1933, there was a second revolution called the New State, established by Salazar.  His motto was, “Proudly Alone.”  His belief in nationalism and isolation saved Portugal from taking part in both World Wars.  Salazar always tried to maintain Portugal’s colonies under his rule and many Portuguese had to fight in those colonial wars.  This eventually led to the end of his dictatorship on April 25, 1974, when a peaceful military coup d’etat took place.

Portugal was then led into democracy (which remains in effect today) when elections took place, in 1975.  They became part of the EU with the guidance of Portugal’s most popular politician who became Prime Minister of Portugal. His name was Jose Barroso. Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the EU.  Its last colonial hold was Macau, which was given back to China in 1999.

Portuguese Culture

There was a strong influence from the country’s geography, its history and its culture.  The cultural heritage stems from the people, having been part of its colonies in Africa, South America and Asia, and its tribal history.  Many more cultural influences come from being a global empire in the 15^th and 16^th centuries.

Portugal is famous for their exquisite, hand painted tiles.  They are used to adorn interiors and exteriors of houses, churches, palaces and other buildings. Originally of Muslim origin, the production of tiles began in the 15^th century but reached its peak in the 18^th century, with their famous blue and white tiles.  The train station in Porto tells the story of the city in grand style, with the use of these tiles.

Portugal is also known for the introduction of Manueline Architecture, a style that featured elements inspired by the sea and by symbols of Royal power, such as armillary spheres, which is the national symbol featured on their flag.  The Jeronimos Monastery and The Belem Tower are good examples of this architectural style but Manueline style buildings and features can be found all over the country.  Baroque and Romanesque styles also abound.

Fado is a type of music that has was named by the World Heritage as part of Intangibles. The history of Fado dates back to the 1820’s and 30’s however some believe it may have much earlier origins.  It is a form of song that is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics.  The Portuguese word saudade which means longing, symbolizing a feeling of loss.  Fado performers were typically sailors, bohemians and courtesans who not only sang but also danced.  Today, it is performed as just song, without the dance.  In recent years, Amalia Rodrigues, known as the “Queen of Fado,” is credited with making Fado popular throughout the world.  Taking in Fado is very popular with tourists, especially in Lisbon, and why not?  It is an important part of Portugal’s culture.

Portugal has no official religion, as the church and state were formally separated during the Portuguese First Republic in 1910.  However nearly 81% of the population is Catholic and important traditions have a significant bearing in Portuguese society and culture. The official language is Portuguese, considered a Romance Language. A direct descendant of Latin, however many speak English, French and Spanish as well.

Why Visit Portugal?

The country itself, with its long coastline and most of the cities and population living along it, make Portugal one of the prettiest countries in the world.  Each city and village has immense history as it is considered to be the oldest in all of Europe. Lisbon. the capital, has become a vibrant modern city, and to deal with its extremely hilly street levels, has installed elevators downtown to transport people up and down some 45 meters.  The lifts are disguised inside buildings on the low end of the city, so it is good to learn where to find them.

The architecture and signature black and white tiles and cobble stones, that line the streets make it picture perfect.  It is home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites.  One of them is the oldest, continuously operated, University in the world, established in 1290.  In Lisbon, you can find the oldest operating bookstore in the world.  Bertrand Bookshop, was established in 1732.  It was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755 but has been in its current location since 1773.

Portugal is also known for exceptional surfing with 364 days of surfing each year.  Home to the largest wave ever surfed, it was an incredible 80 feet high.  Portugal is also the largest cork producer in the world, supplying nearly 70% of the world’s cork.  Needless to say, they are not happy with the screw on caps that have recently become popular for wine.  They are innovative however, making cork into belts, purses, shoes and the like.  There is a beautiful monastery near the town of Sintra that is made from cork.  The whole town of Sintra is a UNESCO site and simply like a fairytale that should not be missed on a trip to Portugal. It is filled with castles, palaces, churches and parks that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries.

Did I mention the wine, famous for Port and Madeira, as well as Vinho Verde, my personal favorite?  You will also find bottles of ginja, a liqueur that people make themselves from ginja berries (sour cherries) and store in bottles.  The country is a wine-lover's paradise.  A trip down the Douro River Valley, where most of the wine is made, is popular with tourists.  Of course, the Portuguese people are friendly and welcoming and are probably the biggest reason to visit, although the food is a close second.

Portuguese Cuisine

The cuisine get its roots from ingredients obtained through trade routes established centuries ago.  Bread, rice, spices, pastries, sausages and seafood, especially cod, remain the staples of many Portuguese meals.  It is often referred to as peasant food, although it is now becoming a gourmand’s destination.  The Portuguese get the credit for introducing tempura to Japan, tea to the British and hot chilies to Asia.

Many of their pastries are made with sugar, which started arriving in the 15^th century, originally from the island of Madeira and later from Brazil.  A visit to a Pasteleria is a must.  Interestingly, the pastries are made with lots of egg yolks, to include their most famous pastry, Pais de nata.  It is said that the nuns used the egg whites to starch their habits and preserve wine, so they had an abundance of egg yolks, with which they masterfully crafted into pastries.

The sausages are also famous and butcher shops all over are stuffed with cases filled with an array of sausages, along with legs of cured ham.  Chourico is a spicy sausage, used in many soups and stews, like their famous caldo verde.  Morcela, a blood sausage, is also extremely popular.  You will also find assortments of delicious cheeses, many made from sheep’s milk that are prepared using an ancient method of coagulating the milk with thistle flower.  Olives and olive oil are also exceptional products coming from Portugal.

Spices from all over the world are also used in their cuisine but it is probably the abundant use of seafood, that is most renown. The Portuguese are one of the top countries in the world when it comes to seafood consumption.  It is said that there are over 1000 Portuguese recipes that use salt cod as the main ingredient.  Sardines are also loved.  They even have a month long sardine festival that is held each year when they are the most abundant.  A couple of other dishes that should be mentioned is bifana, a pork sandwich that is a specialty, as is francesinha, a sandwich covered in a hot thick tomato and beer sauce.  Oh and their beer is highly regarded too.  They will tell you Super Bock is the best beer in the world.

So let’s enjoy a Portuguese meal:

The Menu

Starter

Peixinhos da horta (Fried Green Beans)

Soup Course

Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup)

Salad Course

Salada de Polvo (Octopus Salad)

Main Course

Bacalhau a Bras (Salted Cod with Eggs)

Dessert 

Pasteis de Nata (Egg Custard Tart)

We set the scene in the classic blue and white dishes for which they are famous.  We placed several ships to represent there impressive naval exploration. They have a history of great explorers, like Ferdinand Magellan, the first person to circumvent the globe and Vasco de Gama, who discovered the sea route to India.  Bartholomew Diaz, was the first to sail around the southern tip of Africa and others who discovered new lands like Brazil, parts of Africa and the Far-East, claiming them for the Portuguese Empire.  A can of sardines was set in place, as was an olive branch, a cork, a cross and a good bottle of port wine.  We put on some soft Fado music to complete the mood.

We said Saude which means Cheers, and toasted with a taste of port.  We began our meal with fried green beans, that were battered.  This is the original tempura that was introduced to the Japanese, which the Japanese later embellished.  The name Peixinhos da horta, literally translated means, little fish from the garden.  The name comes from the end result of the fried beans resembling slender, fried fish.  We loved them as our first course.

Next, was the famous caldo verde or Portuguese kale soup.  It is literally my husband's favorite soup and therefore had to be included in the meal.  It is hearty and the flavor superb, especially with the chucks of chourico and linguisa sausages.

Next we enjoyed the main course, Bacalhau a Bras, a salted cod with eggs and potatoes.  This recipe was given to me by our guide in Sintra named Lidia.  After many inquiries during our trip to Portugal, this was the dish that nearly everyone told me to make as the main course for the Portuguese meal.  It  is lovely and the combination of flavors; comforting and delicious.

It was served alongside a octopus salad, as octopus is another much loved seafood.  This Portuguese version was excellent with red onion, sun dried tomatoes, coriander and lime.  I could eat this everyday!

Lastly, we just had to indulge in the famous pasteis de nata, the famous egg custard tart, that was sublime, and went perfectly with a shot of espresso called um bica, literally a shot of only 2-3 ozs.

As we say goodbye to this beautiful and intriguing county, I leave you with some Fado lyrics, which cannot be explained but must be felt and experienced.

Is both mine and yours this Fado

Destiny that tides us (together)

No matter how much it is denied

By the stings of a guitar

Whenever one hears a lament

of a guitar singing

one is instanly lost

with a desire to weep

Oh people of my land

Now I understand

This sadness which I carry on

Was from you that I received

And it would seem tenderness

If l let myself be soothed

My anguish would be greater

My singing would be less sadder

Oh people of my land

Lyrics by Mariza, an international Fado star

Until next time,

Abrigada (thank you, in Portuguese)

Darlene

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How did Peru get its name?

Garcilaso de la Vega, was the first one to shed light of how Peru got its name.  Vega was born, the son of a Spanish conquistador and an Incan princess, in 1539.  He was one of the first to write detailed accounts of the Incas and Spanish conquests in Peru.  His book was published in 1609, was called, The Royal Commentaries of the Incas.

The story goes that in 1513, Spaniard Vasco Nunez de Balboa discovered the South Sea.  He spotted a native Indian who was quietly fishing at the mouth of an estuary.  His crew captured the native and hauled him aboard the boat.  After finally calming him down, the Spanish attempted to ask him questions about the unknown land.  Scared and confused but wanting to please his captors, he blurted out the word Beru, which was actually his name.  He then blurted out a second word, Pelu, which means, “river” in the Inca language.  The Spanish combined the two words to create what we know the country to be called today; Peru.  (The Incas and natives knew their country as Ttahuatin-Suya, meaning, “the four-quarters of the world.”)

Where is Peru Located?

Peru is located on the western border of South America.  Her neighbors are Ecuador and Columbia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west.  It is the third largest country on the continent, behind Argentina and Brazil.  Lima is the capital city and its main economic hub.

Peru has enormous biodiversity, with ninety distinct microclimates.  It is listed among the ten most biodiverse countries in the world.  The coastal plain, (costa) is a narrow strip of desert land that runs the length of the country.  There is an upland region, (sierra) the highland, which includes the very high mountain ranges of the Andes, as well as gorges and deep valleys.  There are many rivers that are born in the Andes and descend to the Pacific, allowing for irrigation to serve a very arid region.  The east is home to the tropical Amazon basin’s rain forest, jungle (selva), and the Amazon River.  Lake Titicaca, lies between Peru and Bolivia and is the largest lake in all of South America.  It is also the highest in altitude, navigable lake in all the world.  In Andean belief, Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun.  Its waters are renowned for stillness and bright reflections.  Jacques Cousteau discovered ruins of an ancient city under the lake’s surface, He also discovered the descendants of the Quechua people, who still live on the islands today.

A Brief History of Peru

Peru has an ancient history, stemming from various tribal groups that lived there.  In the 12^th century, the small city state of Cuzco was formed by the Killkes tribe.  This began the formidable era of the Incan Empire.  Over the next several hundred years, the Incas managed to conquer not only Peru but also parts of Ecuador, Bolivia and northern Chile.  They had a highly developed civilization when the Spanish arrived there in 1531.  Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, conquered and captured Cuzco in 1533.  Peru was a great source of wealth and power for the Spanish, mostly from the gold and silver discovered in the Andes Mountains.  In 1535, Pizarro established Lima as the capital of Peru, which remains so today.  With the help of others, from Bolivia and Venezuela, Peru was able to defeat the Spanish and become a free country in 1821, when they declared their independence.

Like many newly independent countries, Peru went through a difficult time with coups, dictatorships, military rule and wars with guerilla groups fighting against the government.  In recent history, Alberto Fujimori, won three consecutive terms, despite being accused of fraud.  He then stunned the nation when he resigned during a trip to Japan.  Revelations that Fujimori secretly held Japanese citizenship outraged the populace, since he could not be extradited to face corruption charges.  Eventually he ended up in Chile to pursue his political ambitions.  There he was arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison.  He was recently pardoned, after serving only 12 years, as he is suffering from cancer.  The pardon caused outrage, once again.  Despite Fujimori’s crimes against humanity, he did some good things for the economy, which continues to thrive.  Their economy is dependent on its many commodities, but prices do fluctuate with the world markets.  They are the world’s second largest producer of silver and copper. They are the sixth largest producer of gold; mining 162 tons of gold a year.  Peru’s coastal waters provide for excellent fishing grounds.  Fish and agriculture are very important to their growing economy, as are minerals and natural resources.  Tourism continues to contribute more than ever to this nation’s economic growth.

Peruvian Culture

With more than 10,000 years of history, Peru is filled with a great wealth of culture and tradition.  As the oldest civilization in South America, Peru is home to many riches.  Peruvians fully recognize the importance today of their heritage and the value the Andes and the Amazon offer in natural resources and ancient traditions.

Spanish is the official language, along with Quechua and Aymara.  There are 45 other native languages that are spoken as well.  Catholicism is the predominant religion in Peru and is very important in the lives of Peruvians.  Yet they exist peacefully alongside other belief systems including indigenous beliefs, with shamans and medicine men playing important roles.

The coca plant (the same one used to make cocaine) has been used for thousands of years in the Andean world.  It is used for its medicinal properties and religious significance.  Coca leaves, which are brewed in tea, are particularly effective against altitude sickness, which is helpful at high elevations.

Since pre-Hispanic times, music and dance have played vital roles in Peruvian society.  Ancient Peruvians used seashells and reeds, along with animal bones, to produce sounds.  Weaving is another prominent art form in Peru.  It is believed that every form of weaving known today, was invented by the Peruvians.  It is estimated it takes somewhere between 500 to 600 hours to spin, dye and weave a traditional poncho.  They are typically given as gifts to one who enters adulthood and it is expected to last them a lifetime.

In Cuzco, Peruvian history is displayed in the architecture.  Here you will find Spanish, colonial style churches and dwellings built directly on top of their old Incan stone temples.

Why Visit Peru?

Peru, being home to amazing biodiversity, is one of the most unique and colorful places to visit on the planet.  Peru has 25,000 plant species, it ranks first in the world in distinct fish species, second for species of birds and third for amphibians and mammals.  It is home to 12 UNESCO world heritage sites, including the famous Machu Picchu that was recently deemed one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.  It was uncovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham and today displays the pride and complexity of the ancient Inca civilization as one of the most popular tourist destinations. The stone work, masterfully constructed to be seismically stable, is one of the mysteries of this ancient site.

Peru is also home to numerous natural wonders, including Rainbow Mountain and the Painted Hills, where mineral deposits color the landscape like a rainbow. The Cerro Blanco sand dune, located in the south of Peru, is the highest in the world.  Peru’s Nazca Lines, are a collection of more than 70, giant, human and animal geoglyphs.  There are 10,000 lines, some of them are up to 30 miles long and it remains one of the world’s biggest, archeological mysteries that was never even discovered until man took flight.  The Andes, the beautiful coastlines, deserts, the Amazon basin and rivers, and Lake Titicaca are all great reasons to visit Peru.  However, it may just be worth a visit there for the gastronomy alone; it is one of the best cuisines in all the world.

Peruvian Cuisine

The diversity of Peru’s agricultural production comes from its microclimates and varied geography.  Peru’s multiple cultures along with the brilliance of her chefs, have enriched the cuisine to the point of it being recognized as one of the best in the world.  Gastronomy has become such an important element in the lives of Peruvians, it is part of the national identity.  The cuisine of Peru is both ancient and modern.  It is a fusion of the indigenous population along with contributions of immigrants from Europe, (mainly Spain, Italy and Germany), Asia (China and Japan) and West Africa.   Imagine a cuisine where there are the over 3800 varieties of potatoes.  Corn is available in every color, shape and size, along with rich grains, like quinoa.  We certainly can’t forget the abundant seafood, especially their amazing ceviche, available all along the coast.  High in the Andean region, cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca, are popular sources of meat.  It is, however, the native aji chilies, pureed into amazing sauces, that just might be their most delicious contribution.  The flavors of Peruvian cuisine are bold, rich, and spicy.  Yet they can be subtle and complex, as well.  You will certainly want to enjoy the amazing flavors of this cuisine with their famous pisco sour; Peru’s national drink.

So let’s enjoy a Peruvian Meal:

The Menu

Starter

Peruvian Ceviche (Peru’s National Dish)

Main Dish

Split Roasted Chicken (Pollo a la Brasa)

Served with

Two Peruvian Sauces ( Aji Verde & Aji de Huacatay)

Dessert

Caramel Meringue Parfait (Suspiro de Limena)

We set the scene with the colors of the flag; red and white.  We placed dolls, hand crafted by natives, to represent the Incan empire, a photo of the magnificent Machu Picchu, a yellow aji pepper, silver and gold coins to represent their wealth, potatoes, a rope, with knots, representing the ancient system of record keeping, called quipus, a penguin statue (yes they have penguins in Peru), and palm fronds to represent the Amazon rain forest.  Finally, a soccer ball was added, as it is their national sport.

Our first course was ceviche; the national dish of Peru.  Ceviche is so loved and is part of its national heritage.  It actually has its own holiday on June 28^th of each year.  This ceviche was one of the best we have ever had.  It was unique in that, besides the delectable seabass, it had sweet potatoes and giant kernels of toasted corn.  It was flavored with aji peppers, red onion and a citrusy flavored marinade, made with fresh lemon and lime.  The ceviche was served with the marinade, in the tradition of cevicherias and is called, leche de tigre or “tigers milk.”

For the main course we had their famous, pollo a la brasa.  This dish is loved in Peru but may be more famous in the USA.  It just may be the best chicken ever.  It was a split, roasted chicken, lightly seasoned with vinegar, cumin and pepper.  It was tender and succulent.  But it’s the sauces, for which the Peruvians are so famous, and into which you dip the bites of chicken, that make the dish.  The two sauces we had were, aji verde and aji de huacatay,  (which was my favorite.)  Both sauces are phenomenal and the dishes you can use them on are endless.  The aji verde is very common and flavored with aji paste, chilies, cilantro, lime, garlic, oil, cheese and mayo, all blended together.  The aji de huacatay is also made with cilantro, aji paste, garlic, and oil but has the addition of huacatay paste, which can be found in your Latin market.  Huacatay is a fresh herb, that tastes somewhere between basil and mint.  It is sometimes called black mint and is related to the marigold and tarragon families.  These sauces were off the charts, amazing.  We actually did not have a side dish, but potatoes, cooked anyway you like, would be a great accompaniment  and totally authentic.

For dessert we enjoyed suspiro de limena, which is a caramel meringue, parfait that is exceptionally sweet and delicious.  The name of the dessert, literally translated means, “the sigh of a Lima lady.”  I think that pretty much sums it up.

After our feast, we took our pisco sours, (made with Peruvian pisco, as the base liquor and lime, which makes up the sour, along with bitters, egg whites and a simple syrup,) to enjoy, as we watched Wild Peru, by National Geographic.  This film highlights the amazing biodiversity of the land and sea of Peru.  Did you know you can swim with pink dolphins there?  By the way, Peru also has a national holiday, in honor of the cocktail, pisco sour, which happens the first Saturday of every February.

I leave you with my favorite Peruvian Proverb:

“It is better to prevent than cure.”

Until next time

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

How did Paraguay get its name?

There are many theories as to how Paraguay got its name, but the most compelling one comes from the Guarani language and the river that shares the same name.  In the Guarani language, para (ocean) and gua (to or from) y (water/river).  Put all those together and it means the “river that goes to the ocean” or “river that gives birth to the sea.”

Where is Paraguay located?

Paraguay’s nickname is “Corazon de Sudamerica,”  “The heart of South America.“  Its nickname is due to its location in the center of the South American continent.  It is a landlocked country that borders Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.  It lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the country from north to south.  The capital city of Asuncion is located on the banks of the river, in the southwestern part of the country.  It is also part of the Triple Frontier, which has a tri-border area where the Igauzu and the Ptarana rivers converge.  In Paraguay, the city is called Cuidad Del Este, which is the closest city from which to see the magnificent Iguazu Falls, that makes up the largest waterfall system in the world.  Iguazu Falls is one of the new, natural Seven Wonders of the World.  The western region, known as Chaco, has 60 percent of the country’s land but only two percent of the population lives there.  The majority of the population lives within 100 miles of the capital city.

A Brief History of Paraguay

The original inhabitants of Paraguay were the Guarani people.  They were farmers.  The Spanish arrived in the 16^th century and founded the capital city of Asuncion in 1537.  Paraguay was one of the first to gain independence from Spain in 1811.  This was due mainly to its lack of precious ores.  Jose Gaspar Rodriguez Francis became the first of a long line of dictators that ruled the country.  In 1865, the war of the Triple Alliance began and was a total disaster for Paraguay.  The war was with Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and lasted until 1870.  Nearly 2/3^rd’s of the male population were killed during this war and Paraguay lost much of its territory, including Iguazu Falls.

Another war broke out, called the Chaco War, from 1932-1935, in which Paraguay won against Bolivia, winning back some of its western territory.  Dictators ruled the land until 1989, when General Andres Rodriguez overthrew Stoessner, who was accused of torturing and murdering thousands of political opponents.  Rodriguez went on to win Paraguay’s first multi-candidate elections.  In 1992, Paraguay’s constitutional reforms finally gave equal rights to women. They were one of the last South American countries to give women the right to vote, in 1961.

Today, Paraguay is experiencing excellent economic growth and is considered to be much more stable, both politically and economically.  Unfortunately, however, the distribution of wealth is tragically unequal.  80% of the land is held by only 2.5% of the people, with 161 people controlling 90% of the country’s wealth.  It is estimated that half the population lives below the poverty line.

Paraguay, along with Brazil, built the largest dam in the world in 1984 (that is until China surpassed it in 2008.) Named the Itaipu Dam, it is used for hydro-electric power, which is a major export for the country.  The dam supplies 75% of Paraguay’s electricity.  Paraguay also exports sugarcane, soybeans, stevia, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava, fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, eggs, milk and timber.  Over half of Paraguayans work in agriculture and forestry.

Paraguayan Culture

As the Guarani were the primary occupants of Paraguay when the Spanish arrived, many of them took Guarani wives creating a mestizo culture, which is 95 percent of the population today.  Paraguay is one of the few countries in the world that kept their indigenous language as an official language, also called Guarani, along with Spanish.  Some speak Jopara which is a mix of the two.  The Guarani language is an onomatopoeic language, whereby many of its words, like its music, imitate the natural sounds of animals and the natural environment.

Jesuit missionaries established missions in Paraguay.  There are well preserved Jesuit ruins that date back to 1706, which have been named a UNESCO world heritage site and is the only site named in Paraguay.  The Spanish expelled the Jesuits from Paraguay in the mid 18^th century, for which Pope Francis recently issued an apology for the colonial era crimes committed. Today 88% of the population is Catholic, 8% protestant and the balance, indigenous beliefs.

The art of lace making called nanduti, is a prized craft.  It is a wheel based, lace form that originated in Portugal and Spain.  In fact, nanduti actually means “spider web.”  The Paraguayans have put their unique spin on the craft, adding palm leaf shapes to the design.  A festival is held in the town of Itaugua each July, where visitors can watch the lovely lace being made.

Music and dance are other examples of fusion between the Spanish and Guarani cultures.  In rural areas, people play instruments of the indigenous people, including flutes made from sugarcane and rattles made from gourds.  The early conquistadors brought the Spanish guitar and Spanish harp to Paraguay.  These two instruments remain prominent in the music of Paraguay.

The Paraguayans are known for a specific dance, in which they move with an impressive stack of bottles on top of their heads.  There is a vase dance as well, both of which are performed by women. A couple’s dance, known as the Paraguayan Polka, is danced in ballrooms, and on village dance floors, it was created in the 19^th century.

Why Visit Paraguay?

Paraguay is one of the least visited countries in South America, which is precisely why you should want to go.  The fact that it has never built up its tourist infrastructure, is its greatest charm.  This is truly a place where you can get off the beaten track and experience local life.  It is considered safe and the real joy is, the Paraguayan people, who are known to be exceptionally friendly and welcoming.  You will, however, want to have a Spanish/Guarani dictionary handy, as English is not widely spoken.  Buses are the main form of transportation for both locals and tourists alike.  Whether you go to visit the falls, the chaotic, but shopping friendly, city of Cuidad del Este, or to explore the unique flora and fauna that make up the country, there is plenty to see and do in this little known and often misunderstood country of Paraguay.

Paraguayan Food

As Paraguay is not a wealthy country, much of the culture revolves around family and simple pleasures.  You will see groups of people sitting around under the shade of a tree, drinking the traditional tea, such as a drink, called terere.  What yerba mate is to Argentina, terere is to Paraguay.  It is mate but with herbs and enjoyed cold, instead of hot.  You will see everyone carrying a thermos and a gourd with a straw, called a bombilla.

Sopa Paraguaya is considered to be the national dish and is often eaten daily.  Despite its name, it is more similar to a cornbread than a soup.  Chipas are found on nearly every street corner.  This is a cheese bread, made with cassava flour and is similar in texture to a bagel.  Empanadas, milanesa and asados, are also popular and enjoyed in Paraguay, just like with her neighbors.  Generally speaking, Paraguayan cuisine is typically South American.  Fish and meat stews and soups are the norm.  Probably the ingredient that is most used, is mandioca, also known as yucca or cassava, which is somewhat similar to potatoes. They are a native crop and served with nearly every meal.  In fact , it is so common there is a local saying, “Mas Paraguayo que al mandioca” (More Paraguayan than the mandioca). You can also find sushi, schnitzel and shrimp on the barbie, as a result of the Japanese, German and Australian settlements there.

So let’s enjoy a Paraguayan meal:

The Menu

Starter

Payagua Mescada (Paraguayan Tortilla)

Main Course

Bife Koygua (Paraguayan Beef Stew)

Dessert

Crema (A Paraguayan Custard)

Bonus (The National Dish)

Sopa Paraguaya (Cornbread with Egg and Cheese)

We set the scene with the colors of the Paraguayan flag; red white and blue.  We added a gourd, a bombilla, mate, as well as a mandioca/yuca, root.  A soccer ball and fishing net were added, as they are both important sports in the country. We included a photo of the beautiful national tree called the Pink Lapacho, whose inner bark lining is made into a tea, and is also well known for its medicinal value.

We began by saying, Pekaruporante,  which means Bon Appetit, in Guarani.  Our first course was called Payagua Mescada, which means, Paraguayan tortilla.  It is not, however, what you would typically think of as a tortilla.  It is made with their staple ingredient, the yuca or cassava root.  It is more like a fritter than a tortilla.  It is served with beef and yuca root and deep fried, until golden brown.  It was a perfect start to our Paraguayan feast.

The main course was called Bife Koygua and is a typical Paraguayan beef stew.  We completely understood why this is a cherished dish; tender steak, with veggies and a perfectly cooked egg on top.  Bife Koygua is a true comfort food that I will make again and again.

For dessert, we enjoyed a super easy and delectable custard dessert, simply called crema.  This creamy custard is made with eggs, milk and sugar. It had a hint of lemon and was sprinkled with cinnamon.  We enjoyed it with their traditional tea, called terere, which is ubiquitous there.

As a bonus, I included the recipe for their national dish called, Sopa Paraguaya.  It is not a soup at all, but a delicious cornbread that also goes great with terere.

As we say goodbye to this little known country of Paraguay, I leave you with a few Paraguayan proverbs:

“Be grateful with what you have rather than what you think might be out there.”

“If you think the worst, you won’t be far wrong.”

Until next time,

Jajotopata,  which means, “goodbye”, in Guarani.

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

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Netherlands, in the Dutch language, literally means, “Lowlands.”   Its name is fitting, as much of the land is actually below sea level.  Centuries ago, the people from the Kingdom of the Netherlands began building strong sea walls, called dykes.   You may remember the story from Hans Brinker, of The Silver Skates, about the little Dutch boy who plugged a dyke with his finger, saving the countryside below from flooding.  Statues of the fictional boy have been erected in various locations throughout the country, mainly for tourists to enjoy.  The Dutch used windmill powered pumps to drain the North Sea waters from behind the dykes.  The pumps are used to pump the sea water out, leaving low lying land behind, called polders.  Using this technique, they have actually been able to increase the size of their small nation.  Their constant battle against the sea has given the Dutch a strong sense of national pride.

The Netherlands is often mistakenly referred to as Holland.  This is because back in the 1800s, the area called Holland made the biggest contributions to the nation as a whole.  Holland is actually just two of twelve provinces within the nation.  Noord-and Zuid-Holland are what make up Holland.

The Netherlands is located in northwestern Europe.  Its land borders with Germany to the east and Belgium to the south.  It also has a large maritime border with the North Sea.  It shares this border with its two land neighbors and also the United Kingdom.

The Dutch have a long and fascinating history dating back some 37,000 years.  In 2009 a fragment of a Neanderthal skull was found partially buried in the sand on the floor of the North Sea.  Anthropologists estimate this fragment to be from the earliest years of inhabitants in the area.

The Dutch war, in which they were fighting for independence, is often referred to as “The Eighty Years War” (1568-1648.)  The first fifty years were between Spain and the Netherlands but in the last thirty years, much of Europe was involved and this segment is called “The Thirty Years War.”  During “The Eighty Years War”, the Dutch provinces became the most important trading centers of northern Europe.  In the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the Dutch were the most economically wealthy and scientifically advanced of all European nations. This time in history is referred to as “The Golden Era.”

The invention of the saw mill, allowed the Dutch to construct massive fleets of ships used for both trading and defense.  Known as a seafaring people, they were also keen mapmakers.  These undertakings allowed them to obtain an increasing position in world trade.  In 1602 the Dutch East India Company was founded, and was the first ever multinational corporation.  It was financed by shares creating the first modern stock exchange.  You may have heard of tulip fever which also occurred during this decade.  It was a bubble in the market when the price of tulip bulbs reached extraordinarily high levels and then crashed.  During this time, the Bank of Amsterdam was also established, and is considered to be the first ever, central bank.

The Dutch shipping fleet hunted whales, traded spices in India and Indonesia, and even founded colonies. These colonies include New Amsterdam, which today is called New York in the USA, South Africa and the West Indies.  The fleets conquered Portuguese colonies like northeastern Brazil, Angola, Indonesia and Ceylon.  They even began a trade monopoly with Japan.  They also dominated trade with European countries.  By the 1680s, nearly a thousand Dutch ships each year were sailing in the Baltic Sea.

After the Golden Era, there were many ups and downs.  In 1940, Germany took over the Netherlands, during World War II.  The Netherlands was known for diversity and acceptance of people, so the Holocaust hit them hard.  Approximately 107,000 Dutch Jews were deported to concentration camps and most perished there.  In the capital city of Amsterdam, remains the House of Anne Frank, where she and her family hid behind the walls of the main residence in a tiny cell, during the Second World War.  On August 4, 1944, the hiding place was discovered and all inhabitants were sent to concentration camps.  Her diary and papers were given to the sole survivor of the family, Otto Frank, Anne’s father.  Otto compiled her work and created “Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.”  This museum is one of Amsterdam’s most popular tourist attractions.

Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in the world.  It is known for its beautiful canal ring and the impressive architecture.  There is a Museum Square which includes: the Van Gogh Museum, an art museum dedicated to his works and his contemporaries, the Rijksmuseum, home to many of the Dutch masters’ work, including Rembrandt and the Dutch National Art and History Museum, which ranks number one.  Amsterdam has the highest density of museums in the world.  Aside from art and history, one can enjoy a canal ride or shop at the authentic Nine Streets, visit the Red Light District or experience “coffee shops” where marijuana and hashish are sold, (Although it is technically not legal, it is unofficially tolerated).  There is a cheese museum, as Holland is famous for cheese.  The Dutch have been making cheese since 400 AD.  Also one of the most famous beers in the world, Heineken, is brewed there and offers tours.  In the flower market, they are famous for growing tulips and the tulip fields are always a big draw in springtime when the tulips are at their peak.  It should be noted that the first tulip bulb was actually imported from Turkey although today the Netherlands supplies 75% of the world’s bulbs.

There are three other big cities in the Netherlands: Rotterdam, which is the second largest port in the world, Utrecht, and Hague.  The Netherlands has the highest population density in all of Europe, with 487 people per square kilometer.  Hague is the seat of the Dutch government, Parliament and the Supreme Court.  It is also one of the select cities to host the United Nations. King Willem-Alexander became king on January 28, 2013.  He represents the kingdom both at home and abroad and is the second youngest monarch in the world. The Royal Family will move to the Palace of Hus ten Bosch in Hague, when renovations are complete.

The Netherlands is the bicycle capital of the world.  There are more bicycles than people.  The land is flat as a pancake and thousands of kilometers of bike paths, called fietspadens, have been built.  Pedestrians are not allowed to walk on them.  The average person rides their bike 2.5 km per day.  The Netherlands is also the windmill capital of the world.  The 19 polder, draining windmills of the Kinderdijk are an UNESCO world heritage site.  The Netherlands have used windmills for over 30 different uses; the most common use was for grinding grain and spices. Windmills are a national symbol of the country.

The official language in the Netherlands is Dutch, although nearly ninety percent also speak English.  As far as religion, the Netherlands is mostly Roman Catholic and Protestant, of those who practice religion, however 2/3 of the people claim no religious faith.  The Netherlands is known for their social acceptance and was the first country to legalize “same sex marriage” in 2001.

As we look into the cuisine of this nation, well let’s just say, aside from cheese, beer and gin, they are not especially known for their cuisine.  Herring, with chopped raw onions and pickles is considered to be the national dish.  Many people eat raw herring, straight down the hatch, with head and tail attached.  The Dutch consume some 12 million kilograms of herring every year.  Although seafood plays an important part in the Dutch diet, they are big vegetable eaters, with little meat consumed.  Potatoes play a large role in the traditional cuisine.  Grains, such as rye, are used for breads, as well as pumpkin and sunflower seeds.  Often sausages, called rookworst, accompany mashed potatoes and vegetables such as curly kale, in a dish called Boerenkool Stamppot.   Indonesian food is also very popular in their cuisine, as they had colonized Indonesia back in the day. Often times curry powder, and slices of pineapple or bananas are added to the stamppot, giving the oldest Dutch dish an exotic flair.

Dairy also plays a large role in the diet and only one percent of the population is believed to have lactose intolerance, the lowest in the world.  It may also account for why the Dutch are the tallest in the world. Most believe it the combination of good DNA and dairy.

International cuisines can be found throughout the cosmopolitan country.  Other favorite foods are: pancakes that are made both sweet and savory, called Pottertjes, snert a very popular pea soup especially in the winter (when made, the spoon should stand upright in the soup), mustard, pickles and sauerkraut are popular accompaniments, as is applesauce.  Children are served applesauce with nearly every meal and they mix it in with the potatoes and vegetables for sweetness.  For desserts, there are many: oliebollen is a famous dough that is fried and served on New Year’s Eve, stroopwafel is a thin waffle cookie with caramel in the middle, which is a national favorite.  They also love “the Dutch drop” which is a black licorice that can be found everywhere. They make them soft sweet, soft salt, hard sweet and hard salt.

So let us enjoy a Dutch meal:

The Menu

Starter

Bitterballen (A Deepfried, Meatball Served with Mustard)

Main Course

Boerenkool stamppot (Sausage with Mashed Potatoes and Kale)

Served with

Huzarensalade (Hussars Salad)

Dessert

Appeltaart (Dutch Apple Pie)

We set the scene with the color orange, as that is considered to be the color of the Netherlands.  The flag is now red, white and blue but it used to be orange white and blue, as that was the livery colors of the Dutch prince, William of Orange.  They even created a carrot, that was orange in color, to honor of their prince.  We added to our decor, an anchor, representing the seafaring nation, a picture of a windmill and little wooden shoes, known as clogs, called Klompen.  They are still worn by farmers, and gardeners are a popular tourist souvenir.

We began our meal with a pub fare, called bitterballen.  These are deep fried, meatballs but inside they contain a mixture of bechamel and minced seasoned beef.  Sometimes they are made as long sausages, instead of balls and are then called kroket.  They are both served with spicy mustard and enjoyed with an icy cold, Heineken beer.  These were so yummy and went especially well with soft gouda cheese, making for a lovely appetizer.  The Dutch are actually the largest exporter of cheese in the world.

We said, “Eet samkelijk” which means, “Bon appetit” in Dutch.  For the main course, we served their most famous dish, Boerenkool stamppot.  This dish is made with sausage, alongside a mashed potato and curly kale.  It was hard for me to make this dish as it was 105 degrees outside at my house and it seemed way too hardy to enjoy in this kind of heat.  The truth is, we thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. It was a simple and delicious combination of flavors.

We served the main course with a Hussars salad, which is a potato salad that contains several other ingredients.  Typically it is made with beef, however I eliminated the meat and kept it vegetarian.  This is probably the best potato salad I have ever tasted.  It was dressed with mayonnaise, toned down with white wine vinegar, making it much lighter than what I am used to.  It was the apple that added the tart, lovely, bite in the mix.  This salad would make a perfect lunch or light summer dinner.  We loved it!

For dessert, it was appeltaart.  This was probably the best apple dessert ever.  Saying this statement is almost sacrilege.  My grandmother, Agnes, made a mean apple pie and I often channel her spirit whenever I have to make a dough.  She was beyond amazing in how she could just whip up  a meal for eight or more people and bake three or four pies, after 18 holes on the golf course. I believe I got my passion for food from her.  I thought of her often making this dessert.  She was able to peel an entire apple with a paring knife, keeping the skin in one long, curling piece.  I like to try this because it reminds me of her.  This apple tart is similar to a pie but the crust is much softer than a pie, almost melting in your mouth.  The flavor was divine.  This dessert will be a staple in my home for years to come.  We enjoyed it with a cup of coffee, as the Dutch are the world’s biggest coffee drinkers.  They drink an average of 3.2 cups a day.  They also were the first to import coffee to Europe on a large scale, way back in 1600s.

As we say goodbye to most fascinating country, I leave you with a lovely Dutch proverb:

“Gezelligheid kent geen tijd” which means literally ”Coziness knows no time” or an English translation is:  “Time spent together is time well spent”.

Until next time,

“Vaarwel” which means, “Farewell.”

Darlene Longacre

The name Monaco comes from the Phocaean Greek colony, back in the sixth century B.C.  The Ligurians called it Monoikos which means “single house.”  It may stem from an ancient Greek myth, whereby Hercules passed through the area and turned the other gods away.  As a result, the temple of Hercules was constructed there.  Because it was the only temple in the land, the city was called Monoikos.

Monaco today is the most densely populated principality in the world, with about 19,000 people per kilometer.   Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, (Vatican City is the smallest.)  It is so small you can walk across the entire country in less than one hour.  Its total area is just a bit over one square mile.   It is surrounded on three sides by France, Italy is just a few kilometers away and on its southern border is the stunningly beautiful, Mediterranean Sea.  Just the name, Monaco, conjures up the images of royalty, a place for the rich and famous, yacht lined harbors and fast sport cars.

Monaco has the oldest ruling family in Europe.  It has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since gaining independence from the Republic of Genoa, in 1297.  It is run as a constitutional monarchy.  As recently as 2002, a treaty was signed with France allowing Monaco to remain an independent nation, even if the family stops producing heirs.

During a difficult monetary time in Monaco’s past, Princess Caroline established gambling casinos to prevent the ruling family from falling into bankruptcy.  The famous Casino de Monte-Carlo was opened in 1863.  The revenue from the casino brought in so much money that they quit charging their citizens income tax in 1869.  The casino has been featured in three James Bond films.  Interestingly, the citizens of Monaco are not allowed to gamble or visit the casino.  The government put the law in place so they do not gamble away their riches.  Monaco today remains a tax haven.  It is true there is no income tax but there is a nearly 20 percent value added tax on goods and services.  Corporations pay about 1/3 of their profits in tax.  The country still generates plenty of revenue from the casino as well as tourism, banking and financial industries.  Hollywood also has a love affair with Monaco, as over 50 films have been based there.  Film, radio and television are also important revenue generators for the country.

Monaco gets the prize for the most police per capita, which explains the very low crime rate. They also have the highest life expectancy in the world, at 90 years of age.  Not surprisingly, it has the most millionaires and billionaires per capita, as well.  Monaco really doesn’t have much in the way of natural resources, other than its oceans, but Monaco’s GDP is a staggering $153,115, one of the highest in world.

The population of Monaco is just over 38,000, however only about one-fifth of the population are natives.  The largest ethnicity is French, followed by Italians and a mix of others after that.  The natives are called Monegasque and the other residents are called Monacoian.  One problem they have stems from a growing population and limited space, so they have actually grown Monaco some 20 percent by reclaiming land from the sea.  There is no unemployment in Monaco, in fact during the busy season, they bring in workers from nearby France and Italy to accommodate the crowds.  Societe des Badins de Mer (SBM) is the country’s biggest employer.  It runs the majority of Monaco’s tourism activities.

The official language is French, but Italian, English and Monegasque are also spoken.  The sole currency is the euro, due to its relationship with France.  Although Monaco is not formally part of the European Union, it does participate in some of the policies.  France is also responsible for Monaco’s military defense.

Monaco was really put into the world spotlight when the American actress, Grace Kelly, married Prince Rainier, in 1956.  It is estimated that 30 million watched the occasion on television.  The actress met the Prince at a photo shoot, during the 1955 Cannes Film Festival.  Despite marrying a prince, in keeping with tradition, Kelly’s family had to pay the royal family a two million dollar dowry.  The couple had three children, two girls and one boy and the boy is now the current ruler of the land.  When Prince Albert II was born, the country celebrated with a 21 gun salute and the day after was declared a national holiday.  Everyone was treated to free champagne, which is the national drink of Monaco.

Monaco is well known for the most prestigious Formula One race, with its narrow streets, tight corners, elevation changes and the famous tunnel.  The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the oldest in the circuit, holding races since 1929.  The famous Brazilian racer, Ayrton Senna, won six times in his short career (more than any other driver in history.)  Whenever the Grand Prix is in town, the Hotel de Paris sells close to 2000 bottles of champagne.  The hotel’s wine cellar, dating back to 1874, is one of the most legendary cellars in the world, with over 450,000 bottles and 55 different types of bubbly.

Although you might think that Monaco is set up for jet setters, the truth is, they don’t even have an airport, only heliports. The closest airport is in Nice, France.  You can, of course, also get there by car, rail or yacht.  Each year, in September, they host the Monaco Yacht Show, where companies exhibit the best of the best of the super yachts.   Last year, the average length of these super yachts was 154 feet.

The Musee Oceanographique is one of the largest and most prestigious oceanographic museums in the world.  Its aquarium contains nearly 6000 specimens.  Aside from what the museum holds, the building itself is a masterpiece and one of the main focal points of Monaco. It is perched on the side of the cliffs of the Rock of Monaco and rises up from the sea, 85 meters high.  The architecture was inspired by the marine world.  It is a “must-see” tourist attraction while in Monaco.  Of course, you will also want to visit the Prince’s Palace.  The original fortress was built in 1215 and throughout the centuries it has been transformed into one of the most luxurious residences in the world, in the Louis XIV style.  The palace has galleries, an impressive car collection and everything else you might imagine a house of royalty would have.

As we look into the cuisine of this tiny nation, the heavy influences are clearly French and Italian.  Generally speaking, it is a Mediterranean diet consisting mainly of seafood, fresh vegetables and olive oil, as the most common ingredients.  Despite their small size, there are a few dishes that are considered to be Monegasque.  It is a toss-up for the national dish, between  a  street food called socca, which is a chickpea crepe, and barbagiuans, which are deep fried savory pastries, stuffed with chard, spinach, ricotta, onion and sometimes pumpkin.  The word barbagiuan means “Uncle John” and is always eaten on November 19, Monaco’s National Day.   Stocafi also pops up as a national dish and is a dish made with cod, as the main ingredient; simmered in a spicy tomato and herb sauce.  There is also a drink called a “Monaco,” which is a beer with seven-up and a splash of grenadine poured over ice;  a sweet refreshing drink on a warm summer day.

So let’s enjoy a Monegasque Meal

The Menu

Apertif

Socca  (Chickpea Crepe)

Soup

Soupe au Pistou (Vegetable Soup)

Main Course

Salade de Fruit de Mer (Seafood Salad)

Dessert

Prince Albert fraise-Mille Feuille (Pastry with Strawberry and Cream)

We set the scene at our table in red and white décor, as those are the colors of Monaco. There much beloved soccer team, AS Monaco, wears red and white uniforms and are referred to as Les Rouge et Blanc (the red and whites.) The flag is also red and white, exactly the same as Indonesia’s flag, except Indonesia’s flag is a bit wider.  Carnations adorned the table as well, as it is the national flower of Monaco.  Of course we added in our racing flags, since we absolutely love Formula One and hope to make it to the Grand Prix of Monaco one of these years.

We began with “a la votre” which means “to your health” and we clinked our plastic cups filled with ice and a light rose’ wine. We each had a hot serving of socca, a delicious chickpea crepe, flavored with a touch of rosemary.   It was wonderful on its own, but we imagined it could be flavored with all sorts of different herbs and would also make a lovely pizza base as well.  The plastic cups of wine is how socca is served on the streets of Monaco.

Next was a hearty and savory vegetable soup, called soupe au pistou.   It was topped with a delicious garnish, made of tomato, herbs, parmesan cheese, garlic and olive oil.  The garnish made this pretty ordinary vegetable soup into and extraordinary one.  We loved it served with a nice warm baguette.

For the main course we reveled in the most extravagant seafood salad; lobster, crab, mussels, scallops, shrimp and calamari, served on a bed of fresh baby greens.  The salad had a light balsamic dressing and was served with lemon.  The salad was also garnished with a few kalamata olives, the perfect addition of a salty finish. We enjoyed this amazing salad with a little bubbly.  Did I mention champagne is the national drink of Monaco?

For dessert we had the light and delicious fraise millefeuille, named after Prince Albert, as it is said to be his favorite.  He is onto something.  It is a light pastry topped with cream and strawberries and pairs perfectly with champagne.

After our feast, we sat down and watched an old classic racing movie, Gran Prix, starring James Garner that was filmed in Monaco.  The race is held at the end of May, which is right around the corner.  Could this be our year?  At the very least, we will have a wonderful meal to enjoy while watching it.

I leave you with a quote from the late Grace Kelly.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who accomplished useful deeds, and who was a kind and loving person.  I would like to leave the memory of a human being with a correct attitude and who did her best to help others.”

Until next time

Warmest regards,

Darlene

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Italia is what the Italians call their country. There are a couple of theories of how Italy got its name. Originally it was spelled Vitalia, which likely stems from the Latin word “vitulus”, which means “calf-land” or “land of cattle.” This makes sense as southern Italy was rich in cattle. Another theory comes from Greek mythology, when Eurystheus ordered Hercules to bring him cattle from the monster Geryon. Just as Hercules was escaping with the cattle, a bull got loose and jumped into the sea. The bull swam to Sicily and then made its way to the neighboring country. The native word for bull was “Italos” and so the country was named Italy after the bull.

Italy is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is a peninsula shaped like a high-heeled boot kicking a ball, the ball being the island of Sicily. There are many islands that are part of Italy; the largest are Sicily and Sardinia. Italy borders Switzerland, France, Austria and Slovenia. It also has two independent states, Vatican City and San Marino. Italy has a coastline of 4700 miles. Nearly 4/5ths of Italy is mountainous and hilly, with a fertile plain along its longest river called the Po. Italy’s highest peak is Mont Blanc in the Alps. It is also home to three volcanoes that have all erupted in the past 100 years; Mt. Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli.

The people of Italy are mostly Italians, with a small minority of Germans, French, Slovenes, Albanians and Greeks. The language they speak is Italian, a romance language. The majority of Italians are Roman Catholic and the church has played a large part in their lives and history. This is not surprising, as the Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome and is where the Pope resides. Italy’s topography was conducive to developing independent territories. These kingdoms did not become united until 1861, under Victor Emmanuel II, who was named the first king of Italy. Italians celebrate their independence on June 2nd, with Festa della Repubblica, which celebrates when they were transformed from a Kingdom to a Republic, after being liberated from Nazi Germany, in 1946.

Italy has a remarkable history, as they were the home of the Roman Empire which was a world power two thousand years ago. The Roman Empire lasted from 27 BCE to 476 CE in the west and continued until the fall of Constantinople (also known as the Byzantine Empire) in 1453 CE, in the east. Its tentacles reached nearly all of Europe, Egypt and along with the north coast of Africa, stretching 2.3 million miles. Nearly one in four of all people, during this time, were ruled by the Romans. The inventions and innovations that were generated during this time continue to be used in cultures around the world today. Some believe it was the most important time in history. It is hard to say what the Romans invented on their own or what they simply expanded upon, but there were many innovations. Advancements in roads and buildings, indoor plumbing, and aqueducts, apartment complexes, public toilets, locks and keys and even shoes, socks, and cosmetics are just a sampling of their contributions to society. The western calendar, including the names of the days of the week and months, was created by Julius Caesar. They also made improvements in the fields of medicine, warfare, law, and government; a legacy which continues to affect the way we live today.

Italy has more masterpieces per square mile than any place else in the world, which is why it is the country with more UNESCO world heritage sites than any other country. Italy attracts over 50 million tourists per year and tourism constitutes 63% of their national income.

Rome, also known as the “Eternal City,” is the capital of Italy and home to so many amazing treasures: the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, St. Peters Basilica and its famous dome, the Colosseum, seating 60,000 spectators who would watch chariot races and gladiators battle to the death back in the early first century and there is the famous Trevi Fountain, where tourists drop 3000 Euros worth of coins in the fountain every day, as they make a wish. (The coins are collected daily and given to charity to help the poor.) There is also a sophisticated system of aqueducts that provided water to the ancient city and mysterious catacombs, which are underground Roman burial grounds. Rome is the most popular tourist destination in Italy.

The city of Florence, considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, is located in central Italy. This beautiful city is filled with museums, monuments and artwork from many of the greats like Michelangelo (creator of the famous statue of David), Botticelli and Da Vinci. Many works are housed in the Uffizi Gallery, opened in 1560; one of the oldest museums in the world. A spectacular UNESCO site in Florence is the Duomo di Firenze, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flowers. Its construction was begun in the late 1200s and not completed until mid-1400s. A dome, larger than ever before constructed, was an engineering marvel and completed long after the other structures of the Duomo but before the structural calculations for its success even existed. The façade of this amazing complex is made of green and pink marble, outlined in white. It is absolutely stunning!

Florence is considered the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy. Tuscany is famous for its spectacular landscapes, with rolling hills and fields of flowers, which has been the inspiration for many of the great artists. The region of Tuscany reaches from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea. It comprises ten provinces, including Pisa, home to the famous leaning tower that tilts 14 feet from perpendicular. Medieval villages, historical towns, castles, country churches and abbeys dot the landscape throughout the region. It is also home to Chianti, famous for their vineyards and olive groves.

Venice is another spectacular city located in the northeast, founded over 1500 years ago. It is a city that is famous for its art and architecture but mostly for its unique system of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. The canals work as the roadway for transportation. Gondoliers, dressed in boldly stripped shirts, will gladly take a tourist to their destination gliding in a lushly appointed gondola, decorated in crushed velvet and Persian rugs while playing romantic, Italian music. The whole city is a UNESCO site and there, one of the most eminent spots, is St. Mark’s Basilica. Venetians, known for their Carnival and Masquerade balls, (where pretty much anything goes), is also celebrated for their film festival that attracts the rich and famous from all over the world. Venice does face challenges, as it is sinking and prone to flooding. It is quite an experience to hear the sirens sound and watch workers frantically construct an above ground walkway all along the main canal. Fashionable rubber boots for women are common attire in Venice, as it floods about once a week. The bottom stories of most buildings have been abandoned due to its sinking shores, yet Venice remains one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Italy.

Milan is considered to be the main industrial, commercial and financial center of Italy. Also rich in history with museums, theatres and cathedrals (one of which houses Da Vinci’s, “The Last Supper.”) Milan is considered to be one of the best fashion and design capitals of the world; presenting two full weeks of fashion shows with collections from Valentino, Prada, Gucci, Versace, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few. Milan is also known for hosting the World Cup in 1934 and 1990. Soccer is considered to be the national sport. Italy has won the World Cup four times, just behind Brazil. Soccer fans are called “tifosi” meaning “carriers of typhus.” They are known for their rowdy behavior and lack of inhibition. Milan also just put on EXPO 2015; the World’s Fair. The theme of the fair was “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” It was the first time food was the theme of a world’s fair. The Expo, included pavilions from 145 countries around the world, where one could get a taste of each country’s cuisine.

As we look into Italy’s cuisine, they like to say they taught the rest of Europe how to cook. If you ask an Italian where is the best place to eat? The likely reply will be, “my mother’s house.” Each region and province have their own specialties and the cuisine is extremely diverse. From a culinary standpoint the region Emilia-Romagna is considered to be the “food breadbasket “of Italy. It is home to Parma, famous for the cheese Parmigiano-Regiano and prosciutto, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. They are also famous for Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena (balsamic vinegar certified and aged for 12 years) truffles, chestnuts, salume, raw seafood, called crudo, the real Bolognese, and fantastic wines.

Italians love food. They don’t view it as nourishment, they view it as life itself. Meals in Italy are savored, over a long period of time, enjoyed with family and friends and of course a lovely wine. Family is an extremely important value in Italian culture. Perhaps this is why treasured recipes are passed on from generation to generation.

Italians are known for using the freshest ingredients, which lets the flavors of the food shine through. They are also masters of using leftovers; nothing goes to waste. Many recipes are simple, with just a few ingredients and, unless you are making pasta dough from scratch, they are pretty easy to make. Italians use garlic, oregano, parsley, thyme, sage, basil and of course olive oil to flavor their dishes. Italian cuisine has to be one of the most exciting and delicious in the world.

There is so much to discuss regarding Italy’s cuisine. Take pasta for example, they have over 400 types with over 1300 names. It is used in one of three ways. First, fresh or dried pasta is cooked in boiling water, and then mixed with all a variety of pestos, sauces and toppings. Another way pasta is enjoyed is called “pasta in brodo” which means “in broth” making delicious soups. The third way, is pasta “al forno” or pasta that is cooked twice. First the pasta is undercooked in water to soften it and then baked in the oven, with any array of meats and sauces, like their world renowned lasagna.

Cheeses of all types are made in Italy and represent very regional flavors. Cheese is made from the milk of cow, sheep, goat and water buffalo. The flavors of the cheese have much to do with what the animal eats, which of course varies with region. Needless to say, they make fabulous cheeses. Here are a few of the popular types, but there are over 300 different kinds: mozzarella, ricotta, burrata, mascarpone and of course Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is a staple in every Italian household. There are plenty more commonly used in Italian cuisine, some of the more popular are gorgonzola, pecorino, provolone, and fontina. Italy is a cheese lover’s paradise.

Pizza is another prized dish in Italy. Flavored and topped flat breads had been around for ages, and focaccia, a type of bread that originated in Genoa may well be the precursor to modern day pizza. However, it was in 1889 when the Queen of Italy, Margherita di Silva, was vacationing in Naples and heard about the excellent pizzas made by Raffaele Esposito. He created her a special one, representing the colors or the Italian flag, with tomato, mozzarella and basil and she loved it. The pizza, which now bears her name as Pizza Margherita, made history. Today, modern day pizzas are topped with everything imaginable. To be a true pizza however, it needs to be cooked in a wood burning pizza oven. Pizzerias are found all over Italy.

In trying to pick a menu for Italy, I was completely overwhelmed. There are way too many delicious choices, so I decided to simply make some of my all-time favorites.

So let’s eat Italian style:

The Menu
Antipasto
Beef Carpacicio (Raw Beef)

Insalata
Insalate Caprese

Primo
Veal Estensi (Veal Scaloppini with Porcini Mushrooms)

Secondo
Fettuccine Alfredo

Dolce
Tiramisu (A Layered Dessert)

We began our Italian meal with the sounds of Luciano Pavarotti, (Did I mention music and opera are also world famous in Italy? They also have the distinction of having made the first violin, viola and cello back it the 16th century.) Luciano, even after his death, is considered a celebrity and is one of the best tenor voices in the history of opera.

We decorated with the colors of the Italian flag: green white and red. We added a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs, as well as lilies, since that is their national flower. We began with an aperitif; a sparkling wine called Prosecco. Our toast was “Cin Cin!” which means, “All good things for you!”

The first course of an Italian meal is called antipasto; an appetizer course to set the stage for the meal to come. Carpaccio is a dish of thinly sliced, raw beef or raw fish, and is for sure an all-time favorite. This one was made with beef tenderloin, topped with fresh arugula, pomegranate seeds and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, then dressed with olive oil and lemon. HEAVEN!

Next. was a caprese salad. Caprese means “in the style of Capri.” Capri is a beautiful island off the coast of Naples and is where the salad originated. This salad also has the colors of the Italian flag. It is typically made with buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze and seasoned to taste. The key is to get the freshest ingredients possible. I like to add fresh avocado and red onion which makes this one of my most requested dishes. The other secret, is to use a balsamic reduction glaze as opposed to regular balsamic. Deliciouso!

For the main course, we had an amazing veal scaloppine dish, called Veal Estensi. This dish is made with thin slices of veal topped in a cream sauce with porcini mushrooms, Madeira wine and a hint of orange. It is served over fettuccine in the style of Alfredo, (which is simply butter and cheese, not the creamy, American version) and was the perfect accompaniment.

For dessert, or dolce, as they call it in Italy, we enjoyed tiramisu. If I am going to splurge on a dessert, this one is always at the top of the list. It is a light, layered sort of creamy cake with a hint of coffee flavor. It is very difficult to describe other than to say, it’s magical.

The excellence of Italian cuisine drove me to offer you a couple of bonus items:
Pizza Margherita is made from pizza dough created from scratch. This was quite the experience for me, which you can read all about in the recipe. Despite the drama, it came out excellent!

Italian Pizza Margherita

Another one of my favorites, is a salad called “insalata di tonno con cannellini.” This super easy recipe has just a few ingredients and makes a lovely side dish or lunch. It is simply: canned tuna, white beans and celery, chopped Italian parsley, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. So simple, so Italian!

Tuna and Cannellini Salad

As we say goodbye to Italy, I leave you with a few, fun Italian food quotes:
“Everything you see I owe to pasta.” Sophia Loren
“Life is too short, and I’m Italian. I’d much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0.” Sophia Bush.
“It all ends with biscuits and wine” Unknown

Until next time,
Arrivederci and ciao,
Darlene Longacre

Guyana means, “The land of many waters”. It’s an Amerindian word, named by the indigenous people, who lived there, at the time it was discovered by the Spanish, in 1498. Home to the Warrou, Arawaks and Caribs, the land was not easily accessible, as it lies below sea level on the coast. The Dutch arrived in 1580 and began to set up trading posts. They made the land inhabitable using African, slave labor to build a unique system of canals, ditches and high-level waterways. Every square mile of cultivated land has 49 miles of these drainage canals and waterways. Today 90 percent of the population lives on this coastal belt.

Located on the northeastern side of South America, her border to the north is the Atlantic Ocean. Her neighbors are Suriname, to the east, Venezuela, to the northwest and Brazil, to the south and southwest. Guyana achieved independence from the British in 1966, after the British took the region from the Dutch in 1796. The British brought in more African slaves to work the sugar plantations, until slavery was finally abolished in 1834. This created a shortage of workers and resulted in thousands of indentured laborers coming into Guyana from India, Portugal and China. Due to its diverse population, British Guiana (as it was known) was referred to as “The land of six peoples.” Today the population is a majority of Indians and Africans, with the minority being of mixed race and only seven percent, the indigenous Amerindians. The people associate more with the Caribbean lifestyle than to South American. The official language is English and they are the only English speaking nation in South America. Of course, the Guyanese speak English with a bit of a creole flair.

Guyana is home to pristine, Amazonian rainforests, covering 70 percent of the land, providing immense waterfalls and amazing wildlife. One of Guyana’s biggest tourist attractions lies in the interior. Kaieteur Falls, along the Potaro River, is said to be the largest, single drop waterfall in the world. With a massive 741 foot drop (compared to Niagara Falls at 167 feet) and a width of 370 feet (during rainy season), it is one of the most awe inspiring waterfalls in the world. Aside from the size and force of the falls, it is the surrounding, untouched, pristine forest that makes the experience unlike any other on earth. The government is really taking strides to keep their amazing rainforests intact, while enticing tourists to the region with the slogan, “Guyana Undiscovered.”

Georgetown is Guyana’s capital and most populous city. Located at the mouth of the Demerara River, facing the Atlantic Ocean, it was an ideal location for the Europeans to access the Caribbean. The city is described as a fairy tale like setting, with tree-lined streets and quaint, Dutch and Victorian architecture. Although in need of repair, these old, wooden structures, with their large verandas, are a testament to their colonial past. The people of Guyana have a rich heritage and are said to be some of the most hospitable and friendly people in the world. If you take a bus, you will likely find yourself singing along to familiar, American pop songs, as it is a way the Guyanese like to pass their time while traveling.

Another interesting site to behold there is the men carrying bird cages. Inside the cage, is a bird called a towa towa bird, which is trained to whistle on cue. On Sunday mornings, men gather and have a bird whistling contests. The first bird to whistle 50 times, in the proper pitch and speed, wins the wager. These birds go up in value with every game won and can be worth thousands of dollars. They are a most prized possession, which is why you see them being carried all over town by their owners.

Guyana, like most nations after gaining independence, has faced challenges. Ethnic tensions, along with government corruption, have plagued the country. It is ostensibly, a parliamentary-style democracy. However, despite its democratic institutions, independent Guyana has seen several decades of a one-party rule and strongman politics. This is hopefully changing, as a new president, David Granger, was sworn in on May 26th, 2015. With the largest, voter turnout in history, he defeated President Donald Ramotar, who was vying for his sixth consecutive term. This election victory has prompted a multi-ethnic movement in the country and given new hope to the Guyanese people. A recent discovery of oil, just off the coast of Guyana, brings promise to the economy but also revives a century old, border dispute with Venezuela (who just ousted the ambassador of Guyana, over the issue, this past July.) The new President Granger is seeking intervention from the International Court of Justice to resolve the issue.

Aside from the recent oil discovery, Guyana has mineral wealth, with gold and bauxite leading the way. The Omai goldmine is one of the largest, open pit mines in all of South America. Rice, sugar, shrimp and timber are also very important exports for the country and account for a majority of the jobs in this poor nation. The new president promises growth and more job opportunities for the people of Guyana.

As we look into the cuisine of this nation, it is clearly a fusion of all of her inhabitants, both past and present. Chinese cuisine is loved all over (but with a Guyanese slant) as well as Indian food, with all types of curries and roti, being extremely popular. The national dish is called Pepperpot and made with a condiment called “cassareep.” This is a concoction developed by the indigenous people of Guyana to flavor and preserve food. Cassareep is a thick, black liquid made from the bitter cassava root and flavored with additional spices. You can get some by clicking here Pepperpot, which is made with meats and vegetables, is flavored with cassareep and typically prepared for Christmas. It can sit on the stove through New Year’s Day, to be enjoyed throughout the holiday season, still perfectly preserved. It is also said to be a hangover cure for those who celebrated with a bit too much rum during the festivities. Another extremely popular dish is called Cookup Rice. This is a one pot dish that is a local variation on the Caribbean rice and peas, and is one of the most often cooked dishes in the nation.

Local (ground) provisions are also staples of the diet, including cassava and sweet potatoes. Fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood are abundant along the coast. They like their dishes spicy and use a pepper, called a wiri-wiri pepper, in many of them. The wiri-wiri is different from the well-known African, piri-piri pepper and comes in at 350,000 on the Scoville Scale. It ranks right up there with a habanero or scotch bonnet, either of which can be used as a substitute and both of which, are incredibly spicy.

So let’s eat Guyanese style:

The Menu
Starter
Pholourie (Split Pea Fritter)

Served with Mango Sour (A Mango Chutney)

Main
Chicken Chow Mein

Dessert
Baked Vanilla Custard

Meal Served with
Lime wash (A refreshing lime-ade)

We set the table with all the colors of the Guyana flag; green, red, yellow, black and white, all of which have significant meaning to the Guyanese. The green color signifies the forest and foliage. Yellow depicts their mineral resource and bright future. Red symbolizes the vitality of the people while white depicts the rivers and black the endurance of the Guyanese people.  We also placed a candle with their coat of arms which also harbors many important symbols of the people. A Victoria Amazonica, more commonly known as a water lily, is the national flower. A waterfall fountain, to represent the “Land of many waters”, completed our setting and provided the soothing, sound of trickling water.

We ate continental style; fork in the left hand and knife in the right, as is customary there. Our first course was in honor of the Indian influence. Pholourie, is a delicious spice and curry flavored, split pea, fritter. Light and delicate, it’s an amazing treat, especially when dipped in the spicy mango sour; a big hit! The mango sour is made from green mango and counter balanced with lime, chili peppers, garlic and cilantro. This chutney would be awesome on so many things, provided you like it hot. It actually mellows a bit over time, so it can easily be made in advance. The Pholourie, however, is best right out of the fryer.

For our main course, we served the Guyanese-style, chicken chow mein. This Chinese, influenced, dish was awesome. Lots of wonderful flavors were created with the vegetables, tender chicken, spices and chow mein noodles. This will be a keeper in my repertoire.

We enjoyed our meal with a non-alcoholic, beverage called Lime Wash. Basically, this is a lime-ade, made from lime juice, sugar and a touch of vanilla; a delicious, refreshing drink that would be perfect on any hot summer day.

For our final course, we included a little of the British influence, with a wonderful, light and not so sweet, baked, vanilla egg custard. It was topped with nutmeg and was a lovely ending to our Guyanese meal.

After our delicious meal, we relaxed watching a television program, put out by the BBC, which reflects the biodiversity of Guyana, called, “Lost Land of the Jaguar”. Speaking of the lost land, Tepui, an amazing rock area in Guyana, is believed to be the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous work, “The Lost World”.

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Some things you may find useful:

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El Salvador, which means “the Savior,” got her name from the Spanish conquistadores. The people there, Salvadorians, are also called Guanacos, which to some is an endearing term and to others, is considered derogatory. El Salvador is located in Central America between Guatemala and Honduras. She is the only country in Central America that does not have a coastline on the Caribbean side. El Salvador borders the Pacific Ocean and is considered to be a fantastic surfing location, with international contests held there each year.

El Salvador is the smallest country in all of Central America, yet the most densely populated. She gained independence from Spain in 1821 and then from the Central American Federation in 1839. Life has not been easy since independence nor throughout the colonization period. Before the Spanish arrived, the area was made up of two large Indian states. The main tribe was the Pipil. The Pipil managed to defeat the Spanish troops in their first invasion but then fell to them in 1525. The Spanish made the Indians work, give up their land and pay large taxes. Hundreds of years later there was a horrific event called “la matanza” or “the massacre”, when in 1932 the peasants (mostly Pipil) were summoned to the town square under the guise of reform, instead 40,000 of them were slaughtered. After that event, the surviving Pipil population hid their Indian identities, changed their dress and spoke Spanish instead of their native language. The current population is 97 percent mestizo (a combination of Spanish and Indian) and there is only one percent of the indigenous population left. Only a few remnants of the Pipil language remain as the official language of El Salvador today is Spanish.

Coup attempts and guerilla warfare finally ended in El Salvador, after the terrible civil war that lasted from 1979 to 1992. At least 80,000 perished during the war and many fled the country. In fact, nearly 20 percent of the population migrated to other nations out of fear, mainly to the United States, and have never since returned. Thankfully, El Salvador is now on the mend with democratic elections widely held. The population is mostly Catholic by a large majority and protestant. Although they still face significant challenges with gangs, drugs and poverty, they are headed in a better direction. Just recently the late Archbishop Oscar Romero became the first ever native son to reach beautification (the final stage to sainthood in the Catholic Church) He was shot to death during a mass in 1980 and was a devoted advocate for the poor. To date no one has been prosecuted for his murder. Many celebrated Romero’s beautification in the streets of El Salvador along with expats around the globe.

Hit with natural disasters shortly after the peace agreement was signed in 1992, an attempt was made, on an environmental front, to expand the tropical forest cover, which was mostly decimated throughout their troubled history. It is one of the few countries in the last two decades to work towards reforestation. Nature and preservation is important to Salvadorians and Lake Llopango, surrounded by volcanos and mountains, is one of their most beautiful sightseeing spots. Another popular tourist spot is called the City of Witches or “Sihuatehuacan” that was founded in 1708 and now called Santa Ana. It said to hold El Salvador’s most important architectural and cultural treasures. The historic, capital city, San Salvador, is located in the interior of the country.

Known as “the land of volcanoes”, its youngest volcano, born in 1770, is called Izalco and was once known as “the lighthouse of the Pacific” due to its fiery activity. In 1976, a worker in a bulldozer doing some land clearing to build a new grain silo, hit a wall, which led to the discovery or a pre-Colombian settlement that had been buried by volcanic ash some 1400 years ago. Joya de Ceren a.k.a. “Pompeii of the Americas” became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1993. One can only wonder what other treasures lay beneath the volcanic soil. The volcanoes provide the country with extremely fertile farm land. Coffee is their largest crop, mainly grown in the mountain regions and sugarcane is the most common crop along the coast. While their export of agricultural products is robust, the country brings in even more funds from the loyal expats living abroad. In 2001 El Salvador adopted the US dollar as its official currency, prior to that it was the colón.

Soccer is the national sport in El Salvador and they are truly passionate about it. In 1969, a war broke out called the Soccer War or the 100 Hour War, between Honduras and El Salvador. The war precipitated from earlier border conflicts but culminated during the World Cup Qualifying event when fans got out of control and escalated into riotous violence, including setting the stadium on fire and bombings by the military. The rivalry between the two countries continues today, yet one famous player emerged, Jorge Magico Gonzales (the Magician,) who is considered to be one of the best El Salvadorian soccer players of all time. Some believe that had he been born Brazilian or Argentinian, he would be ranked amongst the best in the world, alongside Maradona and Pele.

Salvadorian traditional cuisine consists of food from the indigenous Pipil, which of course bears a Spanish influence. Pupusa, considered the national dish, is a thick, handmade, corn tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans or chicharron. The oldest pupusa preparations in the world were found at the 1400 year old UNESCO site, Joya de Ceren. The dish is always served with a slaw, called curtido and a Salvadorian red salsa that is very flavorful, however not spicy. Other popular dishes are empanadas (stuffed pastries), tamales, sopa de pata (a soup made with tripe and cows feet), fried yucca, chicharon and of course casamiento (a combination of rice and beans). Seafood is a regular ingredient in the cuisine as well, especially along the coast. Beer is the most popular beverage and Pilsener is the most well-liked brand. Coffee, tamarind juice and horchata (a sweet herb and spice based drink,) are common non-alcoholic beverages. For dessert, fresh fruit and Tres Leches is loved along with semita, a coffee cake with guava or pineapple jam.

So let’s eat El Salvadorian style:

The Menu
Starter
Pupusas (masa cakes)

with Curtido (cabbage slaw)

Served with Salsa Roja (red sauce)

Main
Izote con Huevos (yucca flowers with eggs)

Served with Salvadorian frijoles refritos (refried beans)

Dessert
Mango con Chili y Lemon (fresh mango slices with chili and lime)

We set the table with the colors of El Salvador’s flag; blue and white. We decorated with the beautiful izote flower (their national flower) which here we call the “Lord’s candle” or “Spanish bayonet.” (I was so excited to finally get to cook these delicate petals.) We added some coffee beans and sugarcane to the décor to represent the importance of the country’s agriculture and of course we could not forget, a soccer ball.

As we began the first course, we said “salud”, which means “cheers” in Spanish and then “buen provecho,” translated as “enjoy your meal.” We clinked our Pilsener beer bottles and dug into the national dish, called papusas. The corn tortillas were stuffed with Oaxaca cheese and others were stuffed with cheese and locro, another edible flower. We served them with a delicious vinegar, type slaw made of cabbage and flavored with oregano. The flavor and texture of the slaw was the perfect accompaniment to the papusa and was embellished with an excellent mild, tomato salsa.

For the main course, we cooked the izote flower with egg dish. The delicate petals of the izote blossom are very similar to the leaves of an artichoke that lay close to the heart. Making this dish was a bit labor intensive. First, you first need to locate the izote, which for me, living in the high desert was easy, however elsewhere, they may be tough to find. I learned about cooking these petals from a local woman who taught me some native foraging skills. Her ancestry is Spanish/Indian and it was awesome to be able to cook this dish in honor of her homeland, El Salvador. Once you find the flower, you’ll need to remove the stamen from each blossom. (This is the labor intensive part.) Once the petals are cleaned and boiled, they are added to the egg dish. The flavor of the dish was superb and with it we had the best, Salvadorian refried beans ever! Often beans and rice are served together in El Salvador but the izote dish is served with refried beans alone and all I can say is that these beans will definitely go on the favorites list. Yum!

For dessert, we enjoyed a popular street food; mango on a stick. The street vendors in El Salvador must clearly be more talented than I am to cut the mango in the shape of a flower. However, the taste was delicious with a light dusting of chili powder, salt and a squeeze of lime juice. Mango on a stick, is a perfect treat for a hot summer day or anytime!

As we say goodbye to El Salvador we do so with a few El Salvadoran proverbs and with a prayer that they continue on their path to healing.

He who takes on too much, squeeze little.
Say nothing about another that you wouldn’t want to hear about yourself
and
It’s fair that he who tried to steal yours, loses his.

Until next week,
Warmest Regards,
Darlene

Ecuador, in Spanish means “equator” and the name was given because it runs straight across the northern part of the country. Ecuador is the second smallest country in South America and one of only two that does not border Brazil. Her neighbors are Colombia to the north and Peru to the east and south. Her western border is on the Pacific Ocean and she holds the amazing treasure of the Galapagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast. Ecuador gained independence from Spain in 1822 and became part of Gran Colombia, then gained full independence in 1830. The capital city of Quito is the oldest in all of South America and is renowned for its well preserved 17th century, colonial architecture. Ecuador’s Quito became the very first UNESCO world Heritage site because of this.

The country is beautiful, with breathtaking topography and has two mountain ranges that split the nation into three basic regions; Coastal, Andean and Amazonian. The official language is Spanish but Quichua, an Incan language, is spoken by the indigenous population along with 13 other native languages. Ecuador’s largest ethnic group (65 percent) is mestizo, a mix of Andalusian and Castilian Spaniards. Twenty five percent of the population are Amerindian and the balance are Caucasians of Spanish or other European descents and Afro-Ecuadorians. Ninety five percent of the people are Roman Catholic, which is the official religion of Ecuador. However, freedom of religion is part of the country’s constitution. Speaking of the constitution, Ecuador was the first country (in 2008) to declare that “nature” has constitutional rights.

Ecuador has many active volcanos, one of the greatest densities in the world. She is home to incredible mountain peaks, with 10 that are over 16,000 feet in altitude. Mount Chibrorazo is the highest in Ecuador, at 20,565 feet. This peak, because the earth is not a perfect sphere and bulges at the equator, gets the prize for the furthest point from the center of the earth and the closest to the sun. Another interesting statistic is that at the equator, there are twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of night, every single day of the year. No daylight savings time is necessary in Ecuador. Her rich, volcanic soil makes for wonderful plant life. There are 25,000 species of plants present in the country, which represents about 10 percent of all known plant species in the world. They estimate 4100 species of orchids grow there, including the world’s smallest, measuring only 2.1 mm wide. The bark of the cinchona tree was used to develop the first drug to prevent and treat malaria, called Quinine. Of course, with all this wonderful plant life, comes all sorts of species of birds; over 1600 species call Ecuador home. They also have the world’s highest diversity of hummingbirds.

Ecuador’s main exports are bananas, coffee, cocoa, flowers (especially beautiful roses, which is also their national flower), fish (tuna), shrimp, balsa wood and petroleum. Nearly 60 percent of the world’s high grade “fine cocoa,” is produced around the coastal city of Guayaquil, making it the world’s capital of this sweet goodness. Guayaquil is a port city, considered to be the economic center of Ecuador and the launching point for those destined to the Galapagos Islands. Here you will find people in the parks, feeding, not pigeons but iguanas. You will see iguanas everywhere; on the grass, in the trees, on the curbs, on the walls, literally everywhere. It takes a little getting used to as they are so prehistoric looking and some can be quite large. It is said, the sea iguana’s head was the model for the movie “Godzilla.”

The currency in Ecuador is the US Dollar. Previously it was the Sucre. In 1999 the country went through a massive devaluation of their currency paired with hyper-inflation. The move to the dollar was swift and has worked well so far for the Ecuadorian economy. The government has made massive investments in education and infrastructure which has improved life, especially for the poor. Ecuador is always at the top of the list as a retirement destination. It is inexpensive to live there, they have a pretty good health care system (ranking number 20 in the world) and they respect Ancestral medicine, which is very important to the indigenous population. They honor the elderly with nice discounts. They are also known as one of the friendliest countries, as anyone, from any country can visit for up to 90 days without a visa.

One place that I must mention is called Vilcabamba, also known as the “Valley of Longevity” or the “Lost Garden of Eden.” It is a valley that lies about 5000 feet above sea level, with rich volcanic soil and crystal clear water from the Andeans. This valley is known to be one of four places in the world with the highest number of citizens who have lived past the century mark, some living even as long as 135 years. The secret, they claim, aside from the beauty that simply penetrates the soul, is the water. Other factors may be that they use no pesticides or chemicals and have only have one electro-magnetic field, which is a cell tower. The valley has become a destination for tourists looking for the fountain of youth.

When it comes to tourist destinations, the Galapagos Islands are on many a bucket list. Famous for its unique wildlife, like the blue-footed boobies, with their famous mating dance, frigates, with their crimson, red ballooning chest, giant tortoises, resembling ET, land and sea iguanas, and sea lions that frolic with divers. The Galapagos is also where Charles Darwin studied the origin of species and formed his theory of evolution. There is a Charles Darwin Research Center on the island of Santa Cruz, home to many species of tortoises, which included Lonesome George, the last of his subspecies, who died in 2012 at over 100 years old, with no offspring.

To see all that the Galapagos has to offer, you can either stay at a hotel on one of the four inhabited islands and take day trips to other islands or lodge on a ship and travel the islands that way. Even our beloved author, Zane Grey, made it a point to visit the Galapagos on his yacht called Fisherman One. His travels there in 1924, were to be a scientific expedition, along with fishing but inspired his book called “Tales of Fishing Virgin Seas.” Here is a beautiful, colorized picture of his yacht, just off Eden Island in the Galapagos that is part of our Zane Grey collection.

As we look into the cuisine of this beautiful country Ecuador, we see it is shaped by the various regions, which all have the influence of Spain and the indigenous people. Potatoes, maize, plantains and yucca or cassava are staples. Seafood is obviously abundant in the coastal regions and meat is more prevalent in the mountain and highland regions. One interesting thing they eat there is guinea pig. They call it cuy and it’s considered a delicacy. I understand it is quite good but for me, I had a pet guinea pig named Ginger and don’t think I could do it. Then again, I have chickens and yes, I eat chicken, so ….. maybe?

Let’s eat Ecuadorian:

Menu
Starter
Ceviche de Camarones (Shrimp ceviche)

Soup
Encebollado de Pescado (Fish soup with onion and tomato curtido)

Main
Llapingachos (Ecuadorian stuffed potato patties)
Served with Salsa de Mani and Aji Criollo (Peanut sauce and a salsa)

Dessert
Come Y Bebe (Drinkable tropical fruit salad)

We set the table in the colors of Ecuador’s flag; yellow, red and blue. We decorated with pictures of their wondrous creatures, like iguanas and blue footed boobies. We put on our Panama hats. Yes, Panama hats originated in Ecuador. The finest are made in a town called Montecristo. We then put on some Marimba music that the Afro-Ecuadorians made famous. In fact, music played an important role in the ancient Andean peoples’ lives. Archeologists have discovered all sorts of musical instruments in ancient tombs. Music is still very important in the lives of the people today. They say Ecuadorians also learn to dance when they learn to walk.

We began our meal with a toast, “salud” (cheers) and “buen provecho” (enjoy your meal). Our first course was an unbelievable shrimp ceviche, which we ate continental style. Ceviche is popular all over but especially in the coastal region. It is made with ketchup in it, sometimes mustard too. It was awesome and we paired it with a nice, cold “cerveza” (beer). The ceviche was served with a very thinly sliced, fried green banana which provided a lovely crunch to the ceviche.

Next was a fish soup, topped with pickled onion and tomato salsa and garnished with avocado and lime wedges. This is a very popular dish and for good reason, it has wonderful flavors, great broth and is even considered a hangover cure, if need be. It is served with toasted corn nuts, another popular snack in Ecuador. It was stupendous.

For the main course we enjoyed Llapingachos. These are potato patties, stuffed with cheese then topped with a peanut sauce and more of that delicious pickled onion and tomato salsa. Plus, we added aji criollo; a wonderful salsa made with chili, cilantro and onion; a must have condiment, found on all Ecuadorian tables. The patties were served with avocado slices, a fried egg and grilled chorizo. This could be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. By the way, in Ecuador, lunch is the big meal of the day, eaten around 2:00 pm and followed by a siesta (nap).

For dessert we served a drinkable, tropical fruit salad. Fruit drinks are ubiquitous in Ecuador and this easy and light fruit drink was the perfect ending to our outstanding meal.

As we leave this beautiful, diverse country called Ecuador, I leave you with a few Ecuadorian proverbs:
Anger of the mind is poison to the soul.
Hands that give, also receive.
The strong forgive, the weak remember.

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

The East Timorese call their country Timor Lorosa’e which means, “Rising sun”. East Timor or Timor-Leste, as it is also known, is located on the island of Timor. The island is part of the Indonesian archipelago and lies between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean about 400 miles northwest of Darwin Australia. East Timor is the first sovereign state of the 21st century. She shares the island with the country of Indonesia.

The first arrivals to the island were the Vedo-Australoid people, related to the Sri-Lankans, sometime between 40,000 and 20,000 B.C. The Melanasian people migrated to Timor around 3000 B.C., and remain the largest ethnic group there today (Malay and Pacific Islanders). In Ancient Timor, they exported beeswax, spices and the highly sought after; fragrant sandalwood. The island was colonized by the Portuguese from 1600 to 1975. In 1613 the Dutch took control of the western portion of the island and fought for control of the whole island, until 1860, when a treaty was signed separating the two countries. In 1949, the Dutch recognized the western portion of the island as Indonesia.

Just nine, short days after East Timor gained independence from Portugal, she was invaded by Indonesia, which began the next twenty five years of hell. It is estimated that 200,000 East Timorese lost their lives (nearly one-third of the entire population) due to war related starvation, disease and unspeakable massacres and atrocities. In 1999, the United Nation forces finally stepped in and allowed for an election. Eighty percent of the East Timorese people voted to secede from Indonesia and demanded their independence. They finally gained it May 20, 2002.

During those twenty five years, seventy percent of all infrastructure was wiped out. Ninety percent of the schools and healthcare facilities were demolished. Even the fishing villages and boats were destroyed and so was their ability to fish, which provided the main source of food for the East Timorese people. Today the forests make up only one percent of the territory, thanks to slash and burn agriculture and deforestation. Much of the vegetation was eradicated during the Indonesian invasion, from the use of poisonous chemicals like Agent Orange.

Needless to say, the East Timorese are still recovering from all this, albeit slowly. The country is now run as Parliamentary Republic and the “Head of State” is the president. East Timor is considered to be the poorest country in Asia. However, oil and gas recently discovered off shore, is the new hope of prosperity for this land and her people. Dili is the capital city and the main industries are printing and soap manufacturing. They grow coffee, rice, maize and cassava to export and they also export marble and their coveted, sandalwood.

East Timor has a tropical climate with two seasons; a wet season, from December to April and a dry season, from May to November. The land is a rugged terrain, with Mt. Ramelau being the highest peak, at nearly 10,000 feet. They also have plenty of challenges from Mother Nature such as floods, earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis. Timor is located in what is called a tectonic subduction zone, where tectonic plates slide under one another creating instability and massive earthquakes. Since 1900, 212 earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or more have occurred in the region (most beneath the sea) and with them tsunamis, on average, one tsunami every 14 months.

The official languages are Tetum and Portuguese, however there are at least 12 local languages and many speak Bahasa Indonesia and some, English. Interestingly, their currency is the United States (US) dollar. They use US coins but also have the Portuguese minted centavos in the same denominations as US coins. As for religion, the majority of the people are Roman Catholic followed by Protestants, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. Their festivals and celebrations happen around Christmas and Easter and of course Independence Day.

As we look into the cuisine of East Timor, the influences are clear. The Portuguese introduced their cuisine, as they were part of the culture there for almost 400 years. For example, feijoada is very well-liked. (Remember the bean stew, with beef and pork, from our journey to Brazil?) Indonesian cuisine is also popular, with influences from India and China. They like their food spicy and of course, the local ingredients found on and around the island are used as the main stays of the cuisine. Interestingly, rice is popular, however corn is considered the staple.

So let’s eat East Timorese

The Menu
Appetizer

Bolado with Ai-manas
Hard-boiled eggs with chili paste

Main
Ikan Pepes (fish in curry sauce)

Served with
Rice & Batar Da’an (a pumpkin and corn dish)

Dessert
Rujak (fruit salad with cream and nuts)

We set the stage for our East Timorese meal with the colors of their flag; red, yellow, black and white. The color white, represents peace and the star is considered to be “the light that guides.” We placed a small bowl of water on the low table, as it would be customary to wash your hands with it before eating. The East Timorese either eat with only their right hand or with a spoon and fork. The spoon is held in the right hand and the fork is used to push the food onto the spoon.

We began with an appetizer, which is a common street food found all over East Timor and usually sold by kids. It is a deep fried, hard-boiled egg which sells for 25 cents. The egg is served with a very spicy, chili paste. We never had a fried, hard-boiled egg before and the result was a nice, crispy touch to the outside of the egg. No batter was necessary, it does it all on its own. We loved them.

The remainder of the meal was served family style. The whole, red snapper was seasoned with a curry made of spices and tamarind. The fish was first steamed in a banana leaf and then grilled. It was tender and perfect, served with rice, lemon wedges and another popular dish called, batar da’an. It consisted of corn, mung beans and pumpkin. This is a wonderful vegetarian dish that could easily be a main course all by itself.

For dessert, we delighted in fresh fruit, served with cream and nuts. Drinks are not normally served before or during the main meal. However, we enjoyed a strong coffee with our dessert. When being offered a drink in East Timor, it should be received with both hands. All food that is offered should be accepted as a gift and when you are finished you should leave a small amount of food on the plate, except that all the rice should be eaten. Then, place your fork and spoon face down on the plate, with the spoon crossed over the top of the fork.

Ancient legend says that Timor was created after an aging crocodile transformed itself into the island to compensate a boy that helped it when it was ailing. The boy’s descendants are believed to be the natives of Timor. Poetry is an integral part of tradition on the island to tell such stories. Here are a couple of poems I found enjoyable:

“Grandfather Crocodile” written by the President Poet, Xanana Gusmao
From the depths of the ocean
a crocodile in search of a destiny
spied the pool of light, and there he surfaced
Then wearily, he stretched himself out
in time
and his lumpy hide was transformed
into a mountain range
where people were born
and where people died
Grandfather crocodile
- the legend says
and who am I to disbelieve
that he is Timor!

And another one, by AVCAT
"I Have a Country..."
“I have a country, it is an island
But no one knows it is an island,
because no one knows I have a country
It is not in the Caribeans, where the sun dances
Atlantic waves its seas, breezes on happy faces
But my island is pacific, near the Indic
No one knows where it is, because no one knows.
Where it is.
I have a country! it is Pacific
But no one knows it is Pacific,
because no one knows I have a country
It is not Indic, where great men once sailed
in search of a route, to the orient
But my island is Pacific, not the Orient.
No one knows where it is, because no one knows.
Where it is.
I have a country! it is mountainous
But no one knows it is mountainous,
because no one knows I have a country
The mountain ranges, peak to peak.
Yet not so great, like the Himalayas,
where one marvels, and be inspired.
My mountains are just plain mountains.
When you look, you look at mountains because they are mountains....

I have a country, it is Timor Loro Sa'e
But no one knows it is Timor Loro Sa'e,
because no one knows where it is.
Do you know where it is?”

As we say goodbye, I am happy to say, yes, we now know of this country, East Timor!

Warmest regards,
Darlene

“The land where the earth ends” is the meaning of a native Aymará word, “chilli” and believed to be how Chile got her name. She is a long, sleek and slender country located in southwest South America. Chile is only one of two countries in South America that does not border Brazil (the other is Ecuador). Sometimes referred to as the “Shoestring Republic” her neighbors are Peru and Bolivia to the north, Argentina to the East, the Pacific Ocean to the west and Antarctica to the south. She has one of the longest coastlines in the world, at 2650 miles and is only 220 miles across at the widest point.

The great Atacama Desert, located in the northern portion of Chile, is a very dry and desolate place with some areas never recording even a drop of rainfall! The southern portion of Chile is cold and rainy with glaciers at the southernmost tip (this is where the penguins live). Both the north and south are sparsely populated in comparison to the rich, central valley of Chile where the fertile basin is fed by a Mediterranean climate and home to Chile’s capital city, Santiago. The majestic Andes mountain range provides a natural boundary all along the eastern border.

They call their language Castellano; it’s a Spanish dialect and considered the official language. Chileans are known for speaking very fast and having their own melodic speech that is quite distinctive from other Spanish speaking countries. Anymará and Mapudungu are native languages spoken by the five percent of the indigenous population. The majority of natives are from European and Indian descent.

Chile has made great strides in developing a middle class. The country is known to be an economic powerhouse in South America, attracting large number of immigrants due to its political stability and economic prosperity. Roman Catholic is the national religion and many festivals throughout the year are focused around their religion. Huasos are what the Chilean cowboys are called and rodeo is a much loved sport, second only to soccer, which is their national sport. The Andes provide wonderful skiing and snowboarding and the Pacific Ocean offers all kinds of beach activities including surfing, kayaking and of course fishing. Chile is considered an adventure rich country.

National Day is celebrated in a big way on September 18, the date in 1810 when Chile gained independence from Spain. You will find Chileans in colorful costumes dancing the Cuenca, their national dance, in the streets. The ladies wave their white handkerchiefs in the air while a giant festival ensues with traditional food and drink to celebrate.

Chile has taken a leading role in the export of salmon and is now the largest exporter behind Norway. With over 100 wineries in the country, Chile now ranks fifth in the world as a wine exporter and their wine is becoming world renown. Nearly everything imaginable can grow in its fertile central valley. It is common to find Chilean fruits and vegetables in grocery stores in the United States. Chile is also rich in minerals. She has the largest reserve of copper in the world, (one quarter of the world’s supply) along with lithium, iron, silver, salt, zinc, manganese, gold, coal and iodine. You may remember the dramatic rescue which unfolded in Chile a few years ago, when a mine collapsed trapping 33 miners some 2300 ft. underground. They emerged 69 days later as the whole country (and much of the world) erupted in euphoria. They became known as “Los 33”.

Chile has many islands in the Pacific but its most famous and most remote island, lies 2800 miles off the coast. It is called Easter Island or Isla de Pascua. Easter Island was named by Admiral Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutchman, who discovered it on Easter Day in 1772. The island is home to 867 Moais, which are large monolithic human figures carved from volcanic rock by the early natives. They are believed to represent deceased chiefs and deified ancestors, with very large heads. The largest was 33 ft. high and weighed 82 tons and one, unfinished Moai, was 69 ft. high and weighed 270 tons.

Chile is part of what is called the ring of fire; a very active earthquake zone. Chile gets the prize for the largest quake in recorded history, coming in at 9.5 on the Richter scale back in 1960. Large quakes are common there and something to which the citizens have grown accustomed. They even enjoy a drink called earthquake. Speaking of fire, Tierra del Fuego or “Land of Fire” is an archipelago off the southern tip of South America. Back in 1520, Magellan named these islands “Land of Smoke,” because of all the smoke rising from Indian campfires on the islands’ shores. The King of Spain however, thought “Land of Fire” was far more poetic and changed the name. Tierra del Fuego is divided between Chile and Argentina, with Chile claiming the majority, at 70 percent.

The cuisine of Chile is rich in flavors and tradition and definitely has regional differences from the north to the south. The many immigrants (especially the Spanish) have influenced the cuisine along with the customs of the indigenous people. Of course empanadas are cherished, as every South American country lays claim to their own version. One of their favorite foods includes a sandwich of German origin, called El Lomito. It is made with pork, sauerkraut, avocado, tomato and mayonnaise and is a “must have” when visiting Chile. Seafood is abundant and loved all over the country. Razor clams with cheese is another Chilean favorite. Potatoes and corn are used in many dishes and a salsa made of cilantro and onion, called Pebre, is found on nearly every Chilean table. There were so many wonderful choices it was hard to decide what to make for our meal. I finally picked what I felt was considered the most authentic dishes of Chile. And yes Chileans love to eat, they eat four meals a day. Dinner is served very late, typically after 9:00 p.m.
So let’s dig in:

The Menu
Starter
Humitas (Corn Tamale)

with Pebre (A Chilean salsa)

 Mote Con Huesillos (A wheat and Peach Drink)

Main Dish
Chilean Curanto (Seafood and meat traditionally cooked over hot stones in the ground)

Served with
Corn on the cob, Chilean Style

Dessert
Sopaipillas
(Chilean doughnut)

We set the table in the colors of the Chilean flag (Red, White and Blue). Their flag is very similar to the state flag of Texas in the United States and came into being from a suggestion to its designer by the U.S. Envoy, Poinsett in 1817. We decorated with many unusual varieties of potatoes and some candles adorned with penguins. We put on a little Reggaeton, which is popular music in Chile. (Any of you who have ever taken a Zumba class will recognize this infectious beat.) We began the meal with a popular non-alcoholic drink called “mote con huesillo”. This is a slightly sweet drink made with hulled wheat and rehydrated peaches. It is served cold and sold at street stands throughout Chile. In fact there is a saying in Chile “es mas chileno a que el mote con huesillo?” Which means “is it more Chilean than mote con huesillo?” Needless to say this is a yummy drink and classically Chilean.

For our starter, we enjoyed the humitas with pebre sauce. These corn tamales were a lot of work to make. I had the pleasure of making them with some neighbors of mine who are actually from Mexico but really knew how to make these the old fashioned way using a molino (a grinder used just for the corn kernels to get the proper consistency). Served with the Pebre salsa, which is made mostly of cilantro and onion, with a hint of chili and tomato, was the perfect accompaniment to the corn tamale, called Humita. I can see how this salsa is loved on many dishes, from meat to bread, in soups and casseroles… you get the idea.

Next up was the main dish and oh my, it was a boatload of heaven. Curanto basically means, cooked on hot stones. On the island of Chiloé, where this dish originated, it was made in a pit in the ground on hot stones. It is still made that way there on special occasions but stovetop and BBQ versions are also very popular. The dish has all sorts of seafood, pork, chicken, chorizo, potatoes covered with a type of cabbage leaf and cooked in wine. The result was outstanding. We loved it, although fair warning, it is a feast, a ton of food, so be very hungry! The main course was served with a Chilean corn on the cob that was also cooked on the BBQ. To be honest, although delicious, it was too much; the Curanto was more than enough food on its own.

For dessert (we waited awhile) and enjoyed what is called Sopaipillas. We made the sweet type. (There is also a savory type that is typically served as bread and topped with butter or pebre.) What we made was basically a fried doughnut dipped in a sugary sauce, seasoned with cinnamon and oranges. It was scrumptious!

The Chileans love a drink called Pisco, which is similar to a brandy and made in the Elqui Valley. It is commonly mixed with soft drinks, in particular Coca Cola, and is called Piscola. However, the most common version is what is called a Pisco sour, where it is blended with lemon juice, sugar, ice and beaten egg whites, served in a champagne flute and considered their national drink.

Chileans are a people with much national pride. It is more important to be Chilean than whatever your ancestry happens to be. When Chileans get married they each keep their maiden names, so married couples will have different last names. If you are invited to a meal, it would be appropriate to be about 20 minutes late and be sure to bring a small gift like flowers or a dessert wine. Salud is the most common toast in Chile and it means “Cheers”. If you happen to pour wine, don’t use your left hand, it is considered taboo.

As we leave this beautiful country I give you a few Chilean proverbs:
“Al que habla, Dios lo Oye” God hears the person who speaks. (Ask and you shall receive.)
“Perro que no camina, no encuentra hueso.” The dog that doesn’t walk, doesn’t find a bone. (You can’t succeed, if you don’t try.)
“Dime con quien andas y te dire quin eres” Tell me who is by your side and I’ll tell you who you are. (Birds of a feather flock together.)

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene
P.S. A little bonus!
My brother and sister-in-law are hosting a foreign exchange student this winter who just so happens to be from Chile. His name is Rodrigo, a junior in high school. I had the privilege of meeting him and of course, I had to make a nice Chilean lunch to help him feel right at home. He was really fun to talk to and anxious to share his culture with me. For his lunch, I prepared what is called Pastel De Choclo; sort of a shepherd’s pie but with a corn topping. The best part; Rodrigo ate the whole thing and exclaimed three times during the meal that it was just like home! I could not have asked for a better compliment. He took a look at the menu for the Chilean meal I had prepared earlier and said he was sorry he missed it. He felt Curanto was a perfect reflection of his country.
Gracias Rodrigo!
And for an added bonus I present:

Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Pie)

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Cape Verde, now known as Cabo Verde, is an archipelago of 10 islands, nine of which are inhabited. When the Portuguese arrived in 1462, they found no one living on the islands. They first landed on the peninsula of the African mainland, which they named, Cape Verde, meaning Green Cape. Today the peninsula is called Cap-Vert, and the islands, which had been known as Cape Verde up until 2013, became Cabo Verde.

Cabo Verde was under Portuguese rule for nearly 500 years. After a war was fought in Guinea –Bissau, with another Portuguese colony on the mainland in 1975, they gained independence. Today they enjoy a stable government and political system, which is a model for other West African countries that do not. African slaves were brought to the Islands by the Portuguese, to work on their plantations and to feed their sailors. The people are considered “Mesticos”, meaning, a mix of African and European origins. Although Portuguese is the official language, most there speak Cabo Verdean Creole, or Kriol.

The Islands have few natural resources and they have suffered from extreme droughts and famine which resulted in massive emigration. There are more Cabo Verdeans living outside the country than inside. Nearly 500,000 Cabo Verdeans are estimated to live in New England, in the United States alone. Others emigrated to Portugal, Netherlands, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Canada, Argentina, Brazil. Many more fled to other West African Countries, especially those that speak Portuguese, like Angola and Guinea-Bissau. About 500,000 live on the Islands today with the majority living on the island of Santiago.

Each Island has its own cultural identity, although the northern islands tend to associate with the Portuguese colonizers and the southern islands have a closer affinity with Africa. Each town has a Roman Catholic Church and Catholicism (infused with indigenous beliefs) is the main religion on the islands. Even so, most of the people are not practicing Catholics but they do celebrate numerous Saints’ days, where communities gather for parties and festivities with music, dancing, drinking and food.

Cabo Verde offers free health care to its citizens. The facilities and resources are poor but they are more advanced than most other West African countries. They mainly suffer from infectious and parasitic diseases due to malnutrition and poor sanitation. Thankfully, they have not had any cases of the deadly Ebola outbreak, which is just off their shores. The average life expectancy is only 62 years of age.

The economy there has gone through many ups and downs over the centuries. In the early days, they experienced many pirate raids and then the French also attacked there in 1712. In the 19th century they regained some wealth due to their strategic location on major trade routes between Europe, South America and Africa. For a time the Islands had a coal and submarine cable station and large salt flats. Later, severe drought and famine struck and it wasn’t until after World War II that they began to prosper once again. Many expats, living in other countries, send money “home”, which also helps with the overall economy. Today, they are working on becoming a tourist destination, with several luxury hotels built on the Islands.

Most goods produced in Cabo Verde are based on agriculture, even though only 10 percent of the land is arable. About one-third of Cabo Verdeans are farmers. They produce bananas, corn, beans, sugarcane and coffee, but most of their food needs are imported. There is a large fishing trade as well. Many children follow in their parents’ footsteps and learn a craft at a very young age. People tend to work as long as they are able; it is not uncommon to see seniors working in the fields.

The cuisine, like the people, is a mix mainly of Portuguese and African influences. Of course being a nation of islands, fish and seafood play an important role in the diet. Their national dish is called Cachupa; a stew of hominy, beans, vegetables and whatever else is available to throw in. If it contains meat or fish, it is called Cachupa Rica. Breakfast usually consists of a steamed cornbread called cuscus, served with honey and coffee. The main meal of the day is a large lunch in the mid-afternoon, which is followed later by a light dinner. The drink of choice, particularly among men, is called Grogue; a liquor made of sugar cane. It is said it can make you go blind if you drink it long enough!

So let’s eat:

The Menu
Starter
Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup)

Main Dish
Polvo a Modo Ze De Lino (Octopus Stew)

Served with
Jagacida (Portuguese Rice)

Cape Verdean Style Salad (Green Salad)

Dessert
Gufong (Fried Pastry)

We decorated our table with the colors of their flag. Red represents economic prosperity, white is for peace, blue is for the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds them, and ten yellow stars represent each of the islands that make up this tiny country. We put on some Cesaria Evora music.  She is known as the Barefoot Diva and Queen of Cape Verdean music called Morna, a national song style like Tango is to Argentina.

We began the meal with an outstanding Portuguese kale soup. Honestly, my husband was a little reluctant because of the name (he is not a huge kale fan) but, after my insistence, he agreed to try it and was blown away. The flavor, especially due to the Linguica sausage, was just awesome. (We ate it for the next several days for lunch and it is now on our favorites list!)

For the main menu, we had a delicious octopus stew that had a bit of kick due to the addition of the habanero pepper. But it really is true that the tomato tames some of the heat and it indeed worked beautifully in this dish. On the side we had a simple green salad; romaine lettuce with some cucumber and tomato, with just a light oil and vinegar dressing. It was perfect along with what the locals call “Jag” Portuguese rice, with more of the Linguica sausage, YUM!

For dessert we had what is called Gufong. It is a simple fried dough on which we drizzled a touch of chocolate syrup. It was perfect, with a cup of tea to end our Cabo Verdean meal.

The people of Cabo Verde are known to be very generous. It is considered rude to eat in public and not offer what you have to those around you. As a result, you won’t normally find them eating in public. They take pride in greeting each other with a handshake and a lengthy discussion about one’s family and health. This occurs every time you greet someone, even if it is twice in the same day. They like to be very physically close when they communicate and hand gestures are commonly used. Like so many other cultures, they show their generosity by providing a meal to a guest. If you ever are invited to dine there, be sure to take a gift to show your appreciation for their hospitality.

As we say goodbye to these tropical islands called Cabo Verde, I leave you with a quote from a previous secretary of state. Perhaps lessons can be learned here.
“Few places demonstrate the promise of Africa better than Cape Verde. Some places have certain aspects that can be comparable. But no place has put it all together, with good governance, transparency, accountability, the rule of law, a democracy that is delivering for its people, lifting them out of poverty, putting them now in a category of middle-income countries of the world.”

And in Kriol
“Ti prosima vez!” Which means, until next time!

Warmest regards,
Darlene

Bolivia gets her name, thanks to Simón Bolivar, the man credited for leading the War of Independence against Spain in the 19th century. Bolivia is a land-locked country located in central South America. Her neighbors are Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile. She is one of the poorer countries in Latin America, mainly due to her geography. Her topography is home to the great central plateau with an altitude of over 12,000 feet and stretching 500 miles in length. This plateau is home to Lake Titicaca, one of the highest and deepest lakes in the world. She also has three of the tallest peaks in all of South America. Other highs: two of the top five, highest altitude cities in the South America are in Bolivia. One is appropriately named, “El Alto,” meaning “High.” It is said that clouds drift through the living rooms of the citizens that live there. They also have a long history of coca growers. The coca leaves are made into a tea which can help prevent altitude sickness. The coca leaves, are the same ones from which alkaloids can be chemically extracted and exported illegally as the popular drug, cocaine. The tea, however, has only a slight stimulating effect, more like a cup of coffee.

Her people are a mix of Spanish, Quechua and Aymara, (each of these ethnic groups brought with them their own language and all three are official languages of Bolivia.) There are also a few dozen Amazonian ethnic groups, which is why today, her official name is the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Some of these ethnic groups live in complete isolation from mainstream Bolivia.

Rich in history, Bolivia is home to one of the world’s most ancient and advanced civilizations; the Aymara, dating back some 2000 years (about 950 AD.) Today, all that is left as evidence of this civilization is the ancient ruins of the city of Tiwanaku. Bolivia was also controlled for a time by the Inca Empire, which was then overthrown by the Spanish. Bolivia finally gained her independence in 1825. You would think independence would be a good thing. However since then, there has been war, turmoil and a constant fight for freedom over dictatorship. Even today Bolivia is torn between nationalization and privatization with constant pressures from the world’s superpowers, as Bolivia is a country rich in resources. She is home to the largest salt deposit in the world. A vast patch of white that can be seen from space, is southern Bolivia's Salar De Uyuni. It is an expansive desert of over ten billion tons of salt covering nearly 5,000 square miles. The salt however covers up the world’s largest lithium deposit. Lithium, which is used in batteries, is a metal the government believes will bring great wealth to Bolivia. The dilemma is how to obtain the lithium without destroying the salt and still keep the profits in Bolivia.

Bolivia gets a ton of rainfall, from 5 to 8 meters annually. All rivers that cross through Beni (an area in northern Bolivia) are tributaries of the Amazon River. The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that fresh water is found over 100 miles out to sea! She has many different ecosystems, which the government has been diligently trying to protect with new environmental laws. The biodiversity of the tropical rainforests to the Pantanal wetlands are among some of the most biologically abundant in the world, with incredible varieties of plant, animal and bird species. Bolivia is also home to the largest butterfly sanctuary in the world, holding over 3000 species. Bolivia gets first prize in the world for her number of certified, tropical forests.

Bolivia is self-sufficient in almost all food staples. In the highlands they grow tubers, maize, and legumes, Guinea pig is a well-loved food in most of Bolivia. She is home to huge cattle ranches in the northeastern grasslands. There, many of the wealthy ranchers don’t even know how many head of cattle they have since the grasslands and lakes make caring for them effortless. In the eastern portion of the country, they grow rice, sugar, and make various cooking oils. Bolivia is rated in the top twelve nations in the world for organic agricultural land. She also has bountiful wine regions, (some started in colonial times by the Spanish) which are now integrating modern wine making techniques and creating a hugely popular export.

The cuisine in Bolivia is regional, based on what is locally grown and also influenced by her heritage and neighbors. Typically, breakfast is a light meal with the main meal of the day eaten at lunch, called “Almuerzo.” This is usually a four course meal that is followed by a welcomed siesta (nap). A light meal is usually served there around seven in the evening.

So here we go, off to Bolivia:

The Menu
Appetizer
Salteñas (Beef and Onion Pastry)

Served with Llajau or LLajwa (Spicy Bolivian Salsa)

Soup
Sopa de Mani (Peanut soup)

Main Course
Silpancho (A meat patty served over potatoes, rice and topped with a fried egg and fresh salad)

Dessert
Helado de Canela (Cinnamon Sorbet)

The table was set with butterflies as our centerpiece and of course the colors of the national flag; red yellow and green. As the host, I filled our glasses from a bottle of red wine that came from Bolivia. We raised our glasses and toasted, “Salud,” which simply means “Cheers,” in Spanish. Then I said, “Provencho,” which literally means “Benefit” or “Profit,” and is considered a light-hearted invitation to the guests to begin eating. The guests’ proper response is “Gracias!” meaning “Thank you!” We used our utensils in the continental style, as would be typical there. Utensils are always used in Bolivia, even for hard to cut items, like some fruits.

The appetizer served was Salteñas. They are very similar to empanadas, like we had with our Journey to Argentina. This time they were stuffed with minced beef, onions and potatoes. The salsa, called Llajwa or llajua, was the perfect complement. A spicy salsa is found on every table in Bolivia. It is typically made from a pepper called locoto and instead of cilantro, they use a plant that is similar but different, called quillquiña. The salsa ingredients are normally ground on a large flat stone with a pestle, called a batan. We loved the spicy salsa and it was excellent in the soup and on the main dish as well.

Next was the soup course. Sopa de Mani, is an absolutely amazing peanut soup that can be made with beef, chicken or vegetables. What I had left over of the soup, I decided to freeze and simply labeled it, “Thank you Bolivia…. EXCELLENT!”

The main course was really a meal all by itself. A dish called Silpancho, is a true comfort food that could be served for any meal of the day. The lean meat, rolled in bread crumbs, then pan seared, is reminiscent of a chicken fried steak. It is served over fried potato slices and rice. On top of the meat, a fried egg is placed sunny side up surrounded by fresh tomatoes, peppers and onion and drizzled with a light vinaigrette. This was another keeper from Bolivia; beautiful and delicious.

For our dessert, we savored the simplicity of a cinnamon sorbet. It was light, refreshing and the perfect end to our Bolivian feast.

If you ever have the good fortune to be invited to a Bolivian meal, there are a few things you should know. Arrive about 15 to 30 minutes late. Take a small gift of flowers, chocolates or wine. Wait to be seated until the host tells you where to sit and everyone is present. Always keep your napkin on your lap; never lay it on the table. Always keep both of your hands visible and elbows off the table. If someone asks for something to be passed to them, like a salt shaker for instance, do not hand it directly to them. Instead, place it on the table near them. Never fill your own glass of wine; there are all kinds of taboos and rituals for properly pouring wine. Also, don’t comment on how much you love the food until the end of the meal or the host will keep giving you more. Never take the last piece of anything, as that is considered greedy. Always stay seated until everyone has finished eating at the table. When leaving, thank your host for the delicious meal and give three kisses, alternating cheeks. This is done as a greeting and as a goodbye.

As we end our journey to Bolivia, I leave you with a New Year’s Eve ritual. The dinner table should be decorated with your best tablecloth and dishes. At least one red candle needs to be on the table to signify that love will always be present in the family. Make sure there is something gold on the table and everyone must eat one teaspoon of cooked lentils before the meal to ensure prosperity in the New Year. The most important ritual is to eat twelve grapes, just before midnight for good luck, making a wish upon each one prior to the countdown.

Salud!

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Twenty one miles long and a smile wide is how Bajan’s refer to their beautiful Caribbean Island known as Barbados. The island nation is the most eastern in the Caribbean. She is 166 square miles and one of the most densely populated in the western hemisphere. It is clear why so many would want to call Barbados home; a tropical paradise with crystal clear water, white sandy beaches, palm trees swaying in the breeze, Barbados is the postcard of the exotic, relaxing, romantic, enchanting beach experience.

The name Barbados comes from the Portuguese, while en route to Brazil. The Island was covered with fig trees that had a beard like appearance from their hanging roots. The words Los Barbados means “Bearded ones”.

Recent archaeological discoveries point to the belief that her earliest inhabitants were the Arawaks who arrived on the island from Venezuela. There is evidence that points to settlement sometime around 1623 B.C. In 1200, the Arawaks were overtaken by the Caribs. The first English ship landed on the Island in 1625 and she was claimed for England on behalf of King James I. Barbados remained a British colony until 1966, when she gained full independence.

As with many of the Caribbean islands, the land was deforested to make way for cotton and tobacco plantations, however it was sugar cane that made many plantation owners their fortunes. The Barbadians dominated the sugar industry in the early years and with it a large market for slavery. Many of the slaves were brought to the island by the Dutch on ships from West Africa. It was also a place for the English to send their criminals. In fact, in England when the sentence was handed down, it was known as being “Barbadoed”. Thankfully slavery was abolished and freedom was celebrated in 1838 when over 70,000 African descendents took to the streets in celebration.

Today sugar cane is still an important industry on the island but has been taken over by tourism, financial services, fishing and rum. One of the most celebrated occasions on the island is the “Crop Over Festival” which marks the sugar cane harvest and the importance of it to the Island’s history. This is a wonderful celebration (much like the “Junkanoo” festival in the Bahamas) with colorful costumes, the beat of the Islands Calypso musicians and of course, their sumptuous local cuisine.

Barbados’s population is 90 percent black and four percent white, with a mix of Asians and others making up the balance. English is the official language however the fusion of English and the many West African languages, has made for a colorful local dialect. Bajans are known to be quick witted, fun loving and very friendly. If you were to be invited to a Bajan’s home for dinner, they would likely separate you and your spouse to encourage greater conversation.

Just as with the language, arts and music, the cuisine is a tantalizing blend of old and new; the main influences coming from Africa, the Caribbean, West India and England. They like it spicy, using lots of scotch bonnet peppers and onions. The national dish is Flying fish served with Cou-Cou. Barbados is sometimes referred to the “land of flying fish” and Cou-cou is a porridge consisting of cornmeal and okra. Being an island nation, fish is a mainstay in the Bajan diet. Aside from seafood, they also love their locally farmed pork and chicken.

As I searched for recipes to represent Barbados for our International Cuisine meal, I kept coming across a seasoning simply called Bajan seasoning. Although I found numerous variations, they all had a common thread; fresh herbs, onions, garlic, scotch bonnet peppers, lime and vinegar. I will use it in a few of the recipes for our meal.  I was able to make this seasoning with items fresh from the garden!

The Menu

Bajan Seasoning used in two of the recipes:

Appetizer
Fish Cakes served with Marie Rose Sauce

Main Course
Baked Bajan Chicken

served with Corn Pie

and Bajan Style Pickled Cucumbers

Dessert
Barbadian Pudding (A plain cake with dried cherries)

We put on Calypso music with an infectious African beat, to set the mood. We decorated the table in the color of the Barbados flag; blue, yellow and black. We lit candles scented with a tropical aroma. The centerpiece was made with palm leaves shrouding a pelican statue (the pelican is the national bird of Barbados.) We began our meal Continental style, with the knife in the right hand and fork in the left.

We started with the most scrumptious fish cakes I have ever had. They were not what you would expect of a fish cake; they were light, fluffy and deliciously flavored with the Bajan seasoning. The Marie Rose sauce was the perfect dip for the fish cakes. It was reminiscent of a thousand island type dressing, but with a kick. These fish cakes are found all over the island, from the five star hotels to the local rum shops, and now I know why!

The Bajan baked chicken dish was also flavored with the Bajan seasoning and is a common dish enjoyed by the locals on a typical Sunday afternoon. The side dishes of pickled cucumbers and corn pie are staples in the Barbadian cuisine and the perfect accompaniment to the delicious baked chicken.

For dessert, the plain cake with a few dried cherries in the mix, called pudding, was a recipe that came from a Bajan grandma in the early 1900’s. It was yummy!

We loved this Caribbean meal! We enjoyed it with a simple rum punch recipe that went like this:
One part sour – ¼ cup lime juice
Two parts sweet – ½ cup of sugar
Three parts strong – ¾ cup of Barbados Rum
Four parts weak – 1 cup of water
Shake it all together, serve over crushed ice and then raise your glass and say, “Cheers!”

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Argentines refer to their country as “Crisol de Razas”- a crucible of races or a melting pot. Europeans make up ninety seven percent of the population with the majority coming from Spanish and Italian descent. She gained her independence from Spain in 1918. Located in the south eastern portion of South America, Argentina is bordered by Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Drake Passage to the south.

Boasting 1,000,000 square miles, Argentina is home to the highest and lowest points in the western hemisphere, featuring a tropical climate in the north, including the world famous Iguazu Falls and sub-polar temperatures in the south, with the legendary glaciers of Patagonia. Then there is the Pampas, the central grasslands, home to the largest cattle producing land and with it, the renowned gauchos. Gauchos are folk heroes similar to the cowboys of the western United States, whose imagery was brought to life by the author Zane Grey. The “gaucho” way of grilling meat in an open fire has turned into a national pastime and is what Argentines look forward to on their weekends and special occasions. It is commonly referred to as the “asado”.

There are some very interesting traditions in Argentina. One of the most communal is the custom of drinking “mate”. Everyone drinks this special tea in a calbush gourd. Some are elaborately designed with silver rims and the hot tea is sipped through a special metal straw called a bombilla. This straw is designed as a sieve, allowing only the liquid and not the yerba, tea mixture to pass through. Elaborate rituals exist for sharing “mate”. The Cebador, (server) pours the hot water slowly as it fills the gourd. It is then passed clockwise and each participant is expected to drink generously from the gourd. A good “mate” sharing will mean the Cebador will not have to refill the gourd with the yerba mate for several rounds. It is considered poor manners to stir the mate with the bombilla (straw) or to wipe off the end of it. Yerba mate is considered to have medicinal properties and has spread in popularity because of this. It is an honor to be offered this ritual and a true sign of friendship.

Speaking of friendship, Argentina has a day to honor it. Friendship Day is celebrated on July 20th. It is not a true holiday but everybody takes part in acknowledging their friends with cards, gifts, phone calls and text messages. Friendship Day is so popular that there is usually a temporary outage of the mobile networks on that day.

Another tradition found in Argentina is tugging on the ear lobe of one celebrating a birthday, one tug for every year of a person’s life. My sister tells the story of seeing a waiter there being accosted by several waitresses taking turns pulling at his ear lobes, while he stopped to place an order.

The cuisine of Argentina takes its cues from the European immigrants, their neighbors, and of course the wonderful history of the gauchos. The food in this country is absolutely spectacular.

Argentina is also known for some of the finest wines in the world. Especially notable are their Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay. Enjoy any one of these with your meal for Argentina. However, if you are ever in Argentina, avoid pouring the wine yourself; let your hosts do it, as there is some seriously complicated etiquette associated with this task and if done wrong could be considered insulting.

 Argentina has had her share of turmoil. Most memorably, hyperinflation hit hard in 2001, slashing the value of their peso in half. Bank accounts were frozen by the government and the people struggled to make ends meet. In recent years they had all but recovered, however just recently high inflation has again reared its ugly head. Still we are sure that thru Argentina’s strong community traditions and rituals, they will pull through once again.

A huge cultural pastime in Argentina, which originated in Buenos Aires, is the Tango. There is no other dance filled with such passion and grace. In the Buenos Aires Bohemian district of La Boca, stage after stage of Tango dancers entertain at the outdoor cafes. The women dancers are dressed in form fitting glistening gowns and men dress in tight black pants and ruffled shirts. The dancers are so provocative in their expression of the music with its 2/4 beat. They occasionally entice a brave tourist to be their partner in this alluring dance. For your Journey to Argentina, why not enjoy some of this hypnotic tango music; then a red rose clenched in the teeth is all that is needed to complete the mood.

 The Asado.
There are a few things you must know about having a traditional asado. First of all, someone needs to take on the role of the “Asador”. They will be in charge of the wood fired grill. If there is any way to use hardwood  or hardwood coals, this is the time to do it. It really does make a difference in how the meat tastes. The other thing to remember is that the cattle in Argentina are all grass fed and free roaming and the butchers there are artists in how they cut their meat. Please try to get good, grass fed meats for your asado, and even better try to find an Argentine market in your area. They do not season their meat with anything but a medium coarse salt; that’s it and that’s all it needs. The Asador will usually have a special knife for this occasion that they proudly wear on their belt in a leather sheath.

The asado is a celebration, lasting for many hours. It usually begins with starters such as grilled provolone cheese lightly seasoned with red pepper flakes and herbs called proveleta, some chorizos Argentina and Morcillas, a pork and blood sausage, and perhaps some sweet breads. And we can’t forget the empanadas for which Argentina is famous.

On the table will be salsa croilla and a chimichurra sauce used as dips for your meat. There will usually be a side salad and also grilled vegetables served but the asado is really all about the beef. The Asador will cook the meats slowly over an even fire, timing and removing the various cuts of meat as each is cooked to perfection.

Another treasure from Argentina is Dulce de Leche, a creamy-like caramel that is unbelievably delicious. Today you can find Dulce de Leche in ice cream and even Starbucks coffee. I chose a delicious sandwich cookie called Alfajores made from cornstarch and infused with Dulce de Leche in the middle. At the end of the asado, the Asador will get a well-deserved toast and applause from the very satisfied guests.

For this menu, it will be a bit different. The recipes are included for everything except the beef and grilled vegetables. The cuts of meat normally served in Argentina are listed in the menu so you can request them from your butcher.  You now know how to just salt them and put them on the grill. I would highly recommend trying to find the cut Asado-de-tire or Flanken-cut ribs,  one of the best ribs I have ever eaten.

The Menu

Starters
Proveleta – Grilled Provolone

Chorizos Argentina and Morcillas (pork and blood sausage)

Empanada – Zapalla y Queso de cubra - (Empanada Butternut squash and goat cheese)

Sides
Ensalada de Palmitos de Primavera – (Hearts of Palm Salad )

Verdurajo – (Grilled Vegetables)

Asado

Asado de tira-(Flanken-Cut Ribs)
Bife de Vacio-(Flank Steak)
Entrana Fina-(Skirt Steak)
Bife de Ancho-(Rib Eye Steak)
Pollo (Chicken)
Served with

Chimichurra Sauce

and Salsa Criolla

Dessert
Alfajores – Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies

All courses served with Argentine Malbec wine from the Mendoza region

I will simply leave you with a lovely note left by our guests at the Asado.

- “The Asado”- Incredible! All the finest foods of Argentina; delectable empanadas, meats of every variety, sumptuous chicken, incredible dulce cookies, complete with gaucho hats, long stem roses for tango, yerba mate, Argentinean music, wines and salsas. Perfecto! We love you!”

Until next week, Warmest regards,
Darlene